Newmarket residents who were recognized as commitment to help victims of crime

The Teresa Kruze, who lives in Newmarket, spent years against abuse in memory of her late brother -in -law Martin Kruze.

As a journalist, she emphasized the history of abuse in Maple Leaf Gardens by a documentary. Voice of courage – the story of Martin Arnold Kruze. In partnership with a charity based in Newmarket, the family has set up a fund in its name to help survivors.

“We were so determined to keep his vision and voice going,” said Kruze. “I see myself as someone who was able to apply for what I know as a journalist as a journalist.

The province recognizes Kruz's efforts with a victim service award of the award. It was one of three local recipients of recognizing the Ontario General Prosecutor for the Commitment and achievements of individuals and organizations “who have been working on the support of people who have experienced victimization due to crimes”.

Martin Kruze was a victim of abuse of Maple Leaf Gardens. He died in 1997 by suicide after one of his perpetrators had been sentenced to two years in prison.

Kruze said she was deeply honored to preserve the award, the Martin and the work of his devoted brother Gary Kruze recognized.

“It was a trip for Gary and me and his family,” she said. “Martin wanted his voice and the voice of millions of abuse survivors to be heard in Canada and beyond, and after all this time his message is still swinging.”

Another resident of Newmarket, Liora Sobel, also receives the award. According to the province, Sobel has helped the most powered aids for violence against the coordination committee of the York region as a former executive director of the York women's center and currently as Chief Operating Officer on Stepstones for young people.

“She translated her own adversity into childhood into her passion for social affairs,” said the province in a press release.

The Women's Support network of the York region also receives group recognition. The community-based support center for sexual violence has been active since 1992 and helps victims of human trafficking and exploitation.

The province said a survivor said: “I went through the system and never experienced such a healing and valuable program.”

Kruze said that the recipients should be honored in a virtual ceremony on May 28th.

She said this work was difficult for the family, but they had to continue.

“Our hearts were opened every time we progress with an initiative or speak in the name of Martin and other survivors because we know that we had to continue,” she said. “It is very important to speak openly about such a serious topic, sexual abuse and abuse of all kinds when we deal with this topic.”