The path to becoming a crime victims ombudsman investigator
People working as ombudsmen usually join the ranks with a traditional criminal justice background, but it was different for Rebecca Kutty. She found her calling after reading a Star Tribune article.
The article was about WATCH, a court monitoring organization focused on improving the justice system’s response to violence against women and children. “Protecting and standing up for children is an important role for everyone, and being able to do it within the justice system is both necessary and deeply meaningful,” Kutty said.
WATCH trains volunteer court monitors to observe hearings and then recommends changes to improve the justice system for women and children. In addition, they also monitor hearings in immigration court after becoming part of The Advocates for Human Rights.
Soon after learning about the organization, Kutty began volunteering with WATCH and eventually joined as a staff member. In her role, she supported volunteers, contributed to newsletters and helped develop reports to drive change in supporting victims.
Her work with WATCH was the first step on her nontraditional path to criminal justice.
Kutty had already earned degrees in foreign service and anthropology, not a typical educational background for a career in victim advocacy. However, her background in research and writing, paired with her deep compassion for people who had been harmed, made her a natural fit. “I’ve always had a strong interest in fairness, justice and human rights,” Kutty remarked.
Toward the end of Kutty’s tenure at WATCH, she learned about the Crime Victims Justice Unit (CVJU), known then as the Office of the Crime Victims Ombudsman, from a volunteer court monitor.
“I was very impressed with the mission to advance victim rights in Minnesota and found the investigative aspects of their work appealing,” Kutty said.
Kutty was hired as a crime victims ombudsman investigator several years later.
At the CVJU, housed in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Kutty examines complaints of statutory victim rights violations and victim mistreatment in the criminal justice system. She also provides recommendations for improvement. Reports can come from victims of all types of crimes, including domestic violence, sexual assault and property crimes.
The complexity of the criminal justice system is one of the challenges that come with the work. Kutty shared, “The criminal justice system itself presents a challenge for victims — it’s not set up for them, it’s confusing, it’s not always trauma-informed or victim-centered.”
Kutty is quick to note that her role is not investigating crimes but whether victims’ rights were upheld and victims were treated with dignity and respect. The CVJU uses an ombudsman’s neutral approach in its investigations.
An ombudsman is an impartial, independent official who investigates complaints and provides recommendations for improvement. Ombudsmen are not only found in government roles, but also seen in corporate, university, advocate and media settings.
The CVJU, along with the other ombuds offices in Minnesota, marks Ombuds Day on the second Thursday each October. The observance highlights the essential role ombudsman offices play in promoting fairness, resolving concerns and strengthening trust in public systems.
The work can be heavy, and the crimes and topics can bring tremendous weight to the shoulders of those working as victim advocates. In the tightly knit victim advocate network across Minnesota, advocates always stress self-care. At the OJP Annual Conference on Crime and Victimization, there is a focus on self-care, mental health and safety for those working in victim advocacy and support. “We can’t support victims well if we don’t also support each other,” Kutty said.
Despite the daily challenges and uncertainty of what each new case may bring, Kutty remains deeply committed to supporting and advocating for the fair treatment of crime victims. Her work, along with the work of the OJP, reflects a steadfast belief that every victim deserves respect, clarity and caring people to help them navigate the justice process.
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