KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
March 30, 2022
By Natalie Cook Clark
Katy’s Andy Kahan has been appointed to the Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council by Governor Greg Abbott. Kahan plans to bring a real world take to the Council to better serve Texas crime victims.
Photo courtesy of Andy Kahan.
A Hands-On Approach
“I’m exactly the type of person they need,” says Andy Kahan, a long-time Katy resident. “I’m hoping to, and I know I will, bring a hands-on experience to the Council to help victims on what needs to be improved.”
Andy Kahan serves as the Director of Victim Services for Crime Stoppers Houston, a role that he will keep as he joins the Council. Kahan says that his role on the Council wouldn’t be possible without his experience with Crime Stoppers of Houston.
Kahan will start meeting with the Council as early as next week and looks forward to making a difference.
Will Address the Cost of Victimization
“One thing that’s rarely talked about is the cost of victimization,” says Kahan. “I’m a data person and no one really analyzes the real cost to victimization.”
“If a loved one is murdered, and they were the bread winner, then that family now has no income,” explains Kahan. “If someone is shot, they could have rehab and not be able to work, and people rarely think about domestic violence victims and what they go through financially when they flee.”
Kahan comes to the council with over 30 years of experience in criminal justice. He is a board member of Parents of Murdered Children and Surviving Family Members of Homicide, Texas Equusearch, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
He will take his experience from Crime Stoppers of Houston to the Capital. “Seeing how our CEO and board work together is inspiring,” says Kahan.
Established to Improve State Victim Services
The Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council was founded in 1995 by the Texas Legislature and the group has established a number of relationships with the community, criminal justice, and various victim service organizations throughout Texas.
The Council works to improve services to victims, conducts research on the impact of crime victims, inform victim related policy, and most importantly to give a voice to the only people who didn’t have a decision in being part of the criminal justice process.
“I am honored, touched, and pleased to be able to serve Texas,” says Kahan.
Kahan Pledges to Find Solutions
Kahan was honored when he got the call from Governor Greg Abbott’s aide saying that the Texas Governor wanted him to consider being part of the Council. The two go way back and served together on the board of the victim advocacy group, Justice for All in 1994 when Abbott was a judge.
“Instead of yelling and screaming about injustice, I prefer to find solutions,” says Kahan.
Andy Kahan has a term set to expire on January 31, 2024.
Learn more about the Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council at their website.
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