Naperville North grad helps victims navigate the system

Before she became an advocate for crime victims, Exzavier Lawson says she took a lot of things about living in DuPage County for granted.

She didn't worry as much about leaving her purse or cellphone in her car. And she wasn't as adamant about saying “I love you” after each conversation with family and friends.

“I honestly never got it until I worked here,” said Lawson, who's on a small but dedicated team of victim/witness advocates at the state's attorney's office in Wheaton. “You kind of take a different approach to life, and your eyes are a little bit more wide open.”

When tragedy strikes, it's Lawson's job to help victims and witnesses of violent crime make sense of the criminal justice system.

Much of her clientele consists of people enduring potentially years-long court proceedings in the wake of rape, murder and domestic violence.

Lawson not only keeps them abreast of court proceedings, but is available to attend court with them, make travel arrangements, find counseling services, and serve as a liaison to the prosecution. Her unit also assists victims in writing victim-impact statements given at sentencing hearings.

“We pretty much keep them informed about what's going on in the case so they don't feel re-victimized by this process,” Lawson said. “We try to alleviate some of the pressure. Our department makes it known they aren't forgotten.”

Lawson graduated from Naperville North High School in 1999 and, after toying with the idea of becoming a pharmacist, studied criminal justice at Illinois State University.

After finishing college, she became an intern filling out orders of protection for the state's attorney's victim services unit, where she's been now for eight years.

Terrie Jacoby, the unit's supervisor, said the four-person team operates much like a family.

“Everyone does a phenomenal job, and we back each other 100 percent,” she said. “Most people are surprised when they find out our unit is part of the state's attorney's office and they learn about all the resources we offer.”

For Lawson, 30, who said her caseload stands at roughly 100, the most rewarding aspect of the job is relieving some of the burden on her clients during their darkest hours.

She said deep bonds can develop, and sometimes families reach out to her even after a case is closed.

“It's fulfilling to see how grateful people are,” Lawson said. “To know it's a sense of relief at a time when they're going through a lot, whether it's emotionally or physically, it's rewarding to help people in their time of need.”

Lawson said the job has also changed her slant on life.

“I've had a lot of victims tell me they never got a chance to say goodbye, that their loved ones don't know they love them. It's kind of stuck with me,” she said. “I'm more conscious of my surroundings, and I don't take things for granted.”