AG's Office recognizes honorees for assistance to crime victims

Crime victims service awards presented in Wichita

WICHITA – (April 16, 2026) – Officials from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office today honored sixteen award winners for service to crime victims during a ceremony and luncheon in Wichita.

 “The award winners have demonstrated extraordinary acts of service in helping crime victims navigate really challenging circumstances,” Attorney General Kris Kobach said. “Providing justice to crime victims is more than prosecuting the offenders. Justice includes listening when others turn away, acting when intervention is critical, and advocating for those who feel they have no voice.”

Presented annually for nearly three decades, the Kansas Attorney General’s Crime Victims Service Awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to improve the lives of those who have experienced crime. Peers, victim families and other community partners across Kansas offer nominations each year.

Outstanding Criminal Justice Victim Service Award – Assistant District Attorney Will Hurst

This award recognizes an individual who made a positive contribution regarding the needs of victims or offender accountability within the criminal justice response. 

 Will Hurst has served as a prosecutor for more than 19 years, beginning his career in Franklin County before joining the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office in 2011. Will spent seven years leading the domestic violence prosecution team and currently serves on the Boards of Directors for the Kansas County and District Attorney’s Association and the Johnson County Bar Association. He has valued the opportunity to collaborate on initiatives such as the Johnson County Strangulation Protocol and on efforts to strengthen the prosecution of domestic violence cases that cannot rely on victim participation. Will has always been committed to taking on difficult domestic violence cases and advocating for victims who need support. He has taught at the Johnson County Community College Police Academy for 15 years and contributed to legislative work focused on improving protections for victims of violent crime.

Brian Porch, Victim Assistance Unit Supervisor with the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office who nominated Will shares, “Will is a leader with the ability to inspire those around him, connect with and gain the trust of local law enforcement and community partners, and to empower crime victims and families at the most dire moments of their journey toward long-term survival. His commitment to and passion for achieving justice for the participants in his cases and the citizens of this county is apparent in everything he does.”

Community Champion Victim Service Award – The 19+

This award recognizes an individual or group that made a significant difference for victims of crime.

 This year's award winners transformed their own personal trauma into powerful advocacy.

In the aftermath of the month-long Clark Petersen trial, this group of survivors turned their pain into purpose. Working collaboratively, they helped advance Senate Bill 358, legislation aimed at strengthening criminal justice responses for survivors across Kansas by revoking bond for individuals convicted of certain felonies so that they may not walk freely between conviction and sentencing.

SB 358 represents the powerful collaboration of victims and survivors, legislators, and local officials. More importantly, it reflects what so many survivors have long called for: a justice system that takes survivor safety and mental health seriously, not only during the legal process, but after conviction as well.

In support of this effort, these survivors bravely provided testimony, revisiting deeply painful experiences in order to advocate for change that will protect future victims.

Their courage, advocacy, and leadership continue to create meaningful and lasting change.

Nominator Kathy Ray, The Crisis Center, Inc. Executive Director shared, “The "19+" is a group of courageous crime victims/ survivors of sexual assault in Riley County who have transformed personal trauma into powerful advocacy. By reporting the sexual crimes committed against them, often at great personal cost, they sought not only justice for themselves but safety for future victims and greater accountability within our community.”

Outstanding Community-Based Victim Advocate Award – Jennifer Kindel

This award recognizes a community-based victim advocate for outstanding work in improving the lives of victims of crime.

Jennifer is a licensed social worker and has served NCK CASA / Hope’s Place Child Advocacy Center since 2011 in a variety of roles, currently as Family Advocate. In that role, she walks alongside children and caregivers as they navigate trauma and the criminal justice system. In a rural CAC, Jennifer wears many hats and has also contributed through prevention education, accreditation efforts, and training for her multidisciplinary team. Over the years, she has personally supported more than 600 children and families.

Nominator, Tony Miller, North Central CASA Executive Director stated, “Jennifer's commitment to victims and their families is hard to match. She goes above and beyond for those families she advocates for on a very consistent basis, both in her advocacy and her relationships with Multi-Disciplinary Team members. Jennifer is highly respected by MDT Members, including prosecutors, law enforcement, DCF, mental health, medical, as well as throughout the communities she serves. Jennifer advocates with compassion, professionalism and passion.

Outstanding System-Based Victim Advocate Award – Laura Farmer

This award recognizes a system-based victim advocate for outstanding work in improving the lives of victims of crime.

Throughout her career, Laura has been guided by a deep commitment to serving others and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. As a mother of two adult children, she also values the importance of balance and finds joy in spending time in nature, caring for her beloved pets, and raising fancy chickens.

During her time with the Office of Victim Services, she has served in several roles, each strengthening her dedication to supporting crime victims across Kansas. She considers it an honor to work with victims and to help create spaces where they feel heard, supported, and safe. In her leadership role, she helped build and strengthen the Victim Services Liaison Program, ensuring advocates are trained, supported, and equipped to do their best work for crime victims. She has also contributed to KDOC training curricula, presented at NAVAC, co-presented for the National Institute of Corrections, and has served for the past 11 years as a facilitator for the Victim Offender Dialogue Program.

Nominator, Mary Stafford, KDOC Director of Victim Services shared, “Laura Farmer has been faithfully serving crime victims in Kansas for over 18 years. Due to the nature of her role, Laura often encounters the most vulnerable and highest risk victims in the Kansas correctional system. She approaches each victim with compassion, skill, integrity, and kindness. Laura has earned the respect of her colleagues and partners throughout the criminal justice system and leverages her influence to affect positive change for victims. She provides steady, calm, and supportive leadership to the team of advocates she supervises and fosters a culture of safety for all. Victims in Kansas are safer for her service.”

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