About UV4SOR
Our Story
United Voices for Sex Offense Reform (UV4SOR) began at a point when many families, who were traveling the same journey, collectively began looking for justice in an unjust system. Disillusioned with our nation’s criminal justice system, a system based on punitive punishment and revenge rather than rehabilitation and second chances, UV4SOR members – each with a unique and complicated human story – came together with a common goal. Each member is or knows someone impacted by the life changing experience of a being a person convicted of a sex offense.
Our members are one community of like-minded warriors, spanning the nation while working closely together to affect change at both the Federal and State jurisdiction levels.
UV4SOR members unequivocally believe that no sexual abuse is ever acceptable. We also believe that sex offense laws should be based on sound research and common sense, not fear or paranoia that currently fuels societal perceptions.
We have important work ahead, powerful voices to amplify, and we welcome all who wish to join us in advancing our common goals. The members of UNITED VOICES FOR SEX OFFENSE REFORM will fiercely advocate, educate, and fight for justice, to mitigate damages to persons charged with a sexual offense, and their impacted family members.
Our goals are:
- Fair sentences based on logical, rational, evidence-based sexual offense laws
- Bring awareness to legislators and the public
- Educate advocates to effectively promote our mission and vision
- Promote mental health interventions and pre-trial diversion opportunities
- Rehabilitation opportunities for those who are incarcerated and those who are reentering life
- Mitigation and restoration between those who have been harmed and those charged with an offense
- Foster connections that restore and empower impacted individuals and families
- Eliminate discrimination against those with a past or current sexual offense charge
“One of the secrets in life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks” – Jack Penn
Members of the Board are among UV4SOR’s best ambassadors, strongest champions, and most generous supporters.
They volunteer their time and expertise to ensure that the organization is fulfilling its mission and operating in its best interest.
You can learn about our current members board members below.
Meet the Board
Shawn
Executive Director
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. Shawn became committed to justice reform work when she realized how dangerously unjust the criminal justice system is. Read more
JENNIFER
President
Jennifer graduated from Western Illinois University with a BA in Political Science and eventually became an advocate for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities for more than twenty years. After she and her husband raised their four boys, she pursued her master’s degree in Legal Studies from Purdue University Global, focusing on family/disability law and legal research. Read more
Kathy (she/her)
Secretary
With a background in international and community work across non-profit, para-church, and secular settings, Kathy developed a passion for supporting survivors of hardship and has since built a career as a mental health professional, trainer, and emergency responder, blending her skills with a heart for advocacy. Kathy is committed to promoting research-driven reforms and fostering greater understanding of the stigma surrounding sexual offenses. Read more
Sharon
Vice President
Sharon’s commitment to justice reform and advocacy gives her hope that, by speaking out, we can provide education, foster prevention, and bring awareness to change judicial and societal views of sexual offenses, sentencing laws, and incarceration. Read more
RITA
Treasurer
Rita is an Illinois/Indiana native who has been an advocate for the past five years. Read more
BETTY
Trustee
Betty is a wife of 40 years, a mother of four and a retired LPN with fourteen years of professional experience and relationship building skills. Read more
Distinguished Board Members
BONNIE BURKHARDT
Distinguished Board Member
Bonnie Burkhardt is a software engineer and President of her company, Blue Ridge Software Consulting. She has a Top-Secret security clearance and over 35 years of experience intercepting and analyzing signals for the Department of Defense. Read more
STEPHANIE JERSTAD
Distinguished Board Member
Dr. Stephanie Jerstad is a professor of Criminology at Millersville University in PA. Dr. Jerstad’s research focuses on corrections, barriers to re-entry, collateral consequences, and housing instability (i.e., homelessness, access to long-term care facilities). Specifically, her research concentrates on macro- and micro-level policies with an emphasis on sexual offense policies. Read more
DWAYNe DAUGHTRY
Distinguished Board Member
Dwayne is the Program Director – Homeless and At-Risk Operations for Wake County, NC. He is on the board of NCRSOL. Dwayne is leveraging his academic background and advocacy skills to make significant contributions in the field of criminal justice system reforms, with a specialization in post-conviction sexual offense policies. Read more
Joe Nicholson
Distinguished Board Member
Joe Nicholson is a proud leadership partner of United Voices, contributing to the national mission of Sex Offense Reform through his bold and proven approach to Thought Reform and Transformative Justice. Joe is a former athlete turned system disrupter – guiding people and institutions toward healing, accountability, and deep-rooted transformation. Read more
contact us!
UV4SOR Bi-Weekly ZOOM General Meetings
Want to get involved? Complete the contact form to request the link via email.
UV4SOR does not provide legal services or advice. The information provided on UV4SOR’s website and social media does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information, content, and materials available are for general informational purposes only.