meet the board

Like many people, Shawn, a Michigan native, had no idea what it meant to have a loved one impacted by the criminal justice system. She had no clue of the need for reform, or that the United States is a global leader in mass incarceration, until August 2017 when Shawn’s son was convicted of a sex offense, a mistake that drastically changed his and her family’s life forever. The normal that was, was no more. It was then that Shawn became committed to justice reform work when she realized how dangerously unjust the criminal justice system is.

Seeking support, Shawn found Michigan Citizens for Justice, a support group for people convicted of a sex offense and their families. In this group many people traveled this journey and offered optimistic experiences, despite the draconian laws of our legal system. She learned what it takes to help people in this situation, providing judgement free environments, support and empathy. She gained hope that we can align our allies and change the current laws, bring awareness to the punitive punishment inherent with sex offense convictions and change the narrative from punishment to healing for offenders of sexual offenses and survivors. Shawn does not condone sexual abuse in any way and feels very strongly that a community voice is essential for the change we are striving for.

Her advocacy began with lobbying legislative leaders to reform the Michigan Sex Registry. Shawn became a Michigan ACLU Smart Justice Campaign member and provided live testimony during the Michigan Task Force Hearings to reform pretrial bail/bond issues. She met with Senators and Representatives in support of bills sponsored by the Task Force to reduce pre-trial incarceration and provided written testimony to the Judiciary Committee opposing the Michigan Sex Registry. Along with being the Executive Director of United Voices for Sex Offense Reform, she is working with Michigan Citizens for Justice in opposition of Life Long Electronic Device laws. She contributed to the ACLU Blog for Smart Justice holding prosecutors accountable for their role in today’s mass incarceration issues (see aclumich.org/en/news/holding-prosecutors-accountable), was interviewed by CBS addressing the exuberant phone expense associated with being detained in a county jail (cbsnews.com/news/why-are-jail-phone-calls-so-expensive/), and shared her son’s story as well as the upstart of United Voices for Sex Offense Reform on the “Outspoken Offender” podcast. She is a member of NARSOL (National Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws), WAR (Women Against Registry), and attends monthly Caution Click meetings (National organization dedicated to promoting public safety through evidence based legislation, public awareness and prevention strategies).

Facilitated by Shawn, United Voices for Sex Offense Reform began as a meeting of the minds with those impacted and exhausted from the inherent collateral damages from the justice system. Shawn identified the importance of bringing people together, to collaborate for change and second chances. The need for awareness and education of our criminal legal system and how it throws lives away while destroying families and communities is a headline ignored far too long. UV4SOR is committed to provide a platform that supports and challenges members to bring their actions more in line where they can confidently go forward as one united voice spreading the message for a Just and Fair legal system.