D.A. Honors 2 for Work With Victims

As National Victims’ Rights Week begins, two officials with the district attorney’s office have been recognized for their sensitivity to crime victims and teamwork with victim advocates.

Veteran prosecutor Matthew J. Hardy and district attorney investigator Beth Hamilton were singled out by the D.A.’s Victim Services Division. This was the first year the award was presented.

“We wanted to recognize those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty,” said Debbie O’Neill, director of the Victim Services Division.

O’Neill said that Hardy and Hamilton have worked closely with victim advocates and been instrumental in championing victims’ rights inside and outside the courthouse.

“That kind of compliment is a high compliment,” said Hardy, a prosecutor for the last 20 years who has provided training for advocates, prosecutors and police officers across Ventura County.

An investigator for the last seven years, Hamilton was recognized in part for her role in writing a domestic-violence resource booklet. She is currently assigned to the district attorney’s family protection unit.

“This is an award for my peers,” said Hamilton, a former Ventura police officer. “Working with the victims is one of the most important things we do and one of the most difficult things we do.”