Albany, NY – For her tireless commitment and accomplishments on behalf of crime victims, Shannon Ozzella, Crime Victims Coordinator for the Allegany County District Attorney’s Office, was honored this week as a New York State Senate 2018 “Woman of Distinction.” Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – 57th District) selected Ms. Ozzella as the 57th Senate District’s honoree for her long and distinguished record in victim services.
“With extraordinary expertise and compassion, Shannon Ozzella has devoted her life to helping crime victims navigate the court system in their search for justice and healing,” said Senator Young. “From helping prepare victims to testify at trial, to speaking on their behalf at sentencing, to securing appropriate services and counseling, Shannon is a lifeline for fragile victims during the most trying times in their lives. This is very difficult, but critically important work. She is a hero to those she has helped and to our community and exemplifies the character and integrity fitting of the Woman of Distinction award.”
“Among Shannon’s many notable accomplishments was her instrumental role in the creation of the Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center for Allegany and Cattaraugus counties,” said Senator Young. “Child victims are particularly vulnerable so it was critical to provide them with a safe, private facility where they could be interviewed and receive services in one location. Shannon was an integral part of the team that helped bring this project to fruition as well as the satellite site in 2010,” said Senator Young. “She is deeply attuned to the needs of child victims and skilled in helping them in a way that does not add to their trauma. Many of the children she has helped have overcome their challenges and gone on to lead good lives – a fact that most of them attribute to Shannon’s help and concern. We cannot thank her enough for her contributions.
“I am grateful to Senator Young for this special recognition and am incredibly honored to be included among such an outstanding group of New York women,” said Shannon Ozzella. “I am passionate about helping those who have been victimized by others, particularly innocent children. I appreciate Senator Young’s acknowledgement and all her efforts on behalf of crime victims. She is a wonderful advocate for our region whom I respect enormously.”
Ms. Ozzella began her career as a rape crisis counselor for Community Action in 1998. In 2000, she assumed the position of Crime Victims Coordinator for the Allegany County District Attorney’s Office.
Her responsibilities in the District Attorney’s office include meeting with each victim and explaining the criminal justice process; preparing them for grand jury and trial; writing orders of protection; assisting victims in writing victim impact statements; speaking on behalf of victims at sentencing; assisting with restitution orders; notifying victims when perpetrators are released from prison; assisting with victim impact statements for state parole, and securing needed counseling services for victims.
At the ceremony, Ms. Ozzella and other distinguished women from across New York State were lauded for their service and commitment to their respective communities. The New York State Senate Women of Distinction honor was created in 1998 to annually pay tribute to those women in New York who have demonstrated remarkable character, initiative and commitment in serving their neighbors, strengthening our communities, and acting as role models that all should strive to emulate.
