In the late 1990s, Pat Tuthill's life was forever altered when her daughter Peyton was tragically murdered. In the aftermath of this devastating loss, Pat became acutely aware of the challenges faced by victims navigating the criminal justice system. Inspired by her own experience, she founded the Peyton Tuthill Foundation, dedicated to supporting children who have lost loved ones to homicide.
Pat's journey as a victim advocate led her to discover VINE® (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), a groundbreaking service that provides victims with timely and reliable information about offenders. For Pat, VINE was a lifeline, offering a sense of security and control during an incredibly difficult time.
Over the past 30 years, VINE has evolved into the nation's leading victim notification network, serving millions of victims and their families. The service provides automated notifications about an offender's custody status, court hearings, and other critical events. In 2023, the VINE service delivered over 5.8 million automated notifications to registered users. This information empowers victims to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Pat's story is just one example of the countless lives that have been impacted by VINE. The service has become an essential tool for victim advocates, law enforcement agencies, and communities across the country. As Pat explained in a recent interview, "VINE is not just about notification; it's about empowerment. It gives victims a voice and a sense of control over their lives."
As VINE celebrates its 30th anniversary, Pat sat down to discuss the work of the Peyton Tuthill Foundation as well as the significant impact VINE has had on the lives of crime victims. Pat's experience is a powerful testament to the importance of victim notification and the role that VINE plays in supporting survivors.
Looking ahead, VINE remains committed to its mission of empowering victims and ensuring their safety. The service continues to innovate and expand, reaching more victims and providing them with the information they need to navigate the criminal justice system.
Below is an excerpt from Pat’s interview:
What is the mission of the Peyton Tuthill Foundation?
Our mission is to help children whose lives have been shattered, devastated by losing a parent, sibling, or guardian to homicide and help them reclaim their lives.. One way we do this is through awarding scholarships. The foundation now has 25 college graduates, 11 in school, and another eight to 10 will be awarded in August.
My daughter Peyton Tuthill was viciously murdered in 1999 as she was ready to enter graduate school. After her death, I was traveling the country to work on championing and affecting legislative change across the country regarding how offenders are transferred from state to state. I had my last bill signing with Mitt Romney in 2005 when Massachusetts became the 50th state to enact that legislation. During that journey, I met thousands of victims and families across the U.S. and I realized children are left behind in the aftermath (of tragedy).
That is why I decided to create the Peyton Tuthill Foundation; to have a link to connect with these young people. Offer them scholarships - particularly to families who are financially devastated - encourages them that can slowly take baby steps forward to try to make a new life. That’s how the foundation was born.
A part of the healing process for me was grief counseling. In our program, grief counseling is a requirement for a survivor to receive a scholarship, and I work with them to find grief counseling services. There are many free services available across the country.. The VINE Service Provider Directory is a great resource for helping victims easily connect with free support services, such as grief counseling.
Also, we’ve been able to establish a peer support group for the survivors in our program. There is often so much shame and embarrassment that a surviving child (of domestic violence) feels, and they do not want to talk about it. I found by connecting young people with similar stories and experiences, it helps them have a safe space to share and talk about what happened to them.
The foundation is a resource that is there for them. We give hope. And people say that sounds sort of broad and vague but we work with them to give them hope that they can reclaim their life and move forward. It is not an easy journey. It’s one that requires work, but is possible.
Why is keeping victims informed throughout the criminal justice process so important?
I believe that, as a country, we have a responsibility to help protect victims after the crime. I work with the scholarship recipients on understanding their rights to victim notification. ictims are vulnerable, they’re terrified, they live in fear, they can’t put their head on the pillow at night and rest without nightmares, projecting, worrying not only about themselves but their other family members. Not knowing where that perpetrator is makes it terrifying to walk out of the house and go to a supermarket. Are you going to see them? You come into your driveway at night, and there you find the perpetrator.
So victim notification provides another level of peace of mind for a victim to know that the offender is in custody. But let's say they do get out and there’s an escape. Again, VINE provides timely notification to the victims and their family because one of the most important things victims need is to have the confidence that they can make a safety plan and take care of themselves.
The Peyton Tuthill Foundation's unwavering dedication to supporting children impacted by homicide, coupled with the invaluable services provided by VINE, exemplifies the power of hope, resilience, and community support in the face of tragedy. As we reflect on the past 30 years, it is evident that VINE has played a pivotal role in transforming the lives of countless victims, offering them not only a sense of security but also the tools and resources to reclaim their lives and build a brighter future.
To learn more about the Peyton Tuthill Foundation, visit https://www.peytontuthillfoundation.org/.
Visit https://www.vinelink.com/state/select to learn more about the VINE services available in your state.