STATEMENT
Over the past few years, I have contacted multiple professionals and reached out repeatedly via email to police departments, victim services, and other agencies—seeking help after suffering a serious crime. Despite my persistence, not a single department took the time to investigate; very few even acknowledged my messages.
It’s especially disheartening in our era of rapid technological advancement. We have emails, automated systems, and digital data tools—but these tools have not translated into tangible help for victims. Studies show that in professional settings, most people respond to emails within two hours, and 81% expect a reply within one business day.
Studies show that email response rates average only 1.5%, compared to direct mail at nearly 9% . Even when agencies collect thousands of messages, the actual follow-through is slim.
However, government correspondence tells a different story. An investigation found that federal agencies responding to Freedom of Information Act requests often take years—on average, 836 days—to reply. At the state level, response engagement remains alarmingly low, with some agencies relying on auto-replies or delaying for days without meaningful communication.
I have personally felt the full weight of that dysfunction. When I tried to report a crime and ask for protection via email, I was ignored—or worse, dismissed as unstable. My experience underscores a toxic failure: technology may advance, but institutions remain woefully unresponsive—and victims invariably suffer in the silence.
