The Wisconsin Newspaper Association, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, and Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin’s Nov. 11, 2025 online event “Reporting with Care: Media, Victims and Marsy’s Law in Wisconsin” is now available here.
The news media plays an important role covering the impact of crime on communities and individuals. While crime survivors and victim advocates can find the media glare difficult to navigate at times, reporting can be beneficial in many cases including renewing investigators’ attention on unsolved crimes or raising awareness of victims’ issues and resources for survivors.
The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) has published a guide to provide best practice for the media when dealing with victims. The video explains how to use the NCVC guide and offer practical tips to protect survivors from unwanted attention, and to leverage coverage for positive results.
The practices are connected to Wisconsin’s crime victims’ rights constitution amendment know as Marsy’s Law, translating constitutional rights into newsroom choices that respect privacy, dignity, notification, and participation while maintaining accuracy and the public’s right to know.
Panelists included moderator Nela Kalpic, who is the State Director for Marsy’s Law in Wisconsin; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter and deputy investigations editor Ashley Luthern; WMTV anchor and reporter Leigh Mills; victims’ rights advocate Kim Goldman, who is the sister of victim Ron Goldman from the OJ Simpson case; and, Renee Williams, executive director for the National Center for Victims of Crime.
More information about the panelists
Ashley Luthern, Reporter / Deputy Investigations Editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel — A reporter and deputy investigations editor at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Luthern has covered the criminal justice system since joining the staff in 2013.
As deputy investigations editor, Luthern manages coverage of Wisconsin’s prisons and leads trainings on journalistic best practices. She has extensive experience reporting on gun violence, domestic violence, police misconduct and law enforcement training.
Her work has been honored by the Society of Professional Journalists, National Headliner Awards and UNC Center for Integrity in News Reporting, among other organizations. Luthern received undergraduate degrees in journalism and anthropology from Ohio University.
Leigh Mills, Reporter/Anchor, WMTV-15 News — Mills anchors the 4 and 6pm newscasts on WMTV 15 News, where she has worked since 2003. She has won several awards for her work, including a National Edward R. Murrow Award and three regional Emmy Awards, including one for best news anchor.
With a long history of working with area non-profits, Mills is currently a board member of Canopy Center. She also volunteers her time with NAMI, Dane County Boys and Girls Club, Clean Lakes Alliance, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, Brat Fest, National MS Society Wisconsin Chapter, GiGi’s Playhouse Madison, AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, East Madison Community Center, The Business Forum, Madison Area Down Syndrome Society, Madison Ballet, the Arthritis Foundation Wisconsin and the YWCA.
Married to her best friend since 2012, Mills is a mom of two boys, ages 11 and 8, and a stepmom of a 20 and 18 year old. She also teaches group exercise classes including turbokick and strength development. She recently completed a bucket list item: finishing the Ironman 70.3 Wisconsin! An avid runner and cyclist, Mills has completed a full marathon, many half-marathons and multiple century rides.
Kim Goldman, victims’ rights advocate and sister of Ron Goldman from the O. J. Simpson case — Known nationwide as a victims’ rights advocate after her brother’s murder in the infamous O. J. Simpson case, Kim Goldman has spent decades using her voice to advance justice and support survivors.
In her spare time, she travels the country as an impassioned public speaker on victims’ rights, the role of the media, judicial reform, and other related topics. Some speaking highlights include keynote addresses for numerous National Crime Victims’ Rights Week events, Parents of Murdered Children conferences, the FBI National Academy Conference, the U.S. Department of Justice (OJP), Governor Wilson’s Conference for Women, and as a guest speaker and panelist at a number of universities and national events.
As an accomplished writer, Kim Goldman has appeared twice on The New York Times Bestseller list with His Name is Ron: Our Search for Justice (1998, William Morrow & Co.) and If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer (2007, Beaufort Books).
Her later works, Can’t Forgive (2014) and Media Circus: A Look at Private Tragedy in the Public Eye (2015), explore themes of loss, resilience, and public scrutiny. Kim Goldman has also been involved in developing a documentary-style series highlighting the strength of victims and survivors, and co-hosts Broadscast, a podcast for and about women.
The founding Co-Chair of The Ron Goldman Foundation for Justice, Kim Goldman has served on advisory boards for Crime Survivors, Inc., Habitat for Heroes, It’s Not Your Fault, and the National Center for Victims of Crime. She also collaborates with Promoting Awareness | Victim Empowerment (PAVE) and Rock Scar Love, among other advocacy initiatives.
A regular contributor to national media outlets including FOX News Channel, MSNBC, Court TV, CNN, ABC, NBC, and CBS, Kim Goldman has been featured on Oprah, 20/20, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Dateline, Primetime Live, Dr. Phil, and Larry King Live.
Renee Williams, Executive Director, National Center for Victims of Crime — A dedicated advocate and leader in the field of victim services, Renee Williams currently serves as chief executive officer of the NCVC.
With more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and legal sectors, Williams has a proven track record of championing the rights and needs of victims of crime. Prior to her role at the NCVC, she was the executive director of a legal services organization in Pittsburgh that focused on the legal rights of victims of domestic violence and other indigent clients.
Williams is a sought-after speaker nationally, known for her dynamic presentations and ability to engage diverse audiences. She has represented NCVC on “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt,” Court TV, HLN, and is a frequent guest on podcasts. She has been instrumental in shaping national conversations around victims’ rights and has been a vocal advocate for changes to the justice system that better protect and support victims of crime.
As the executive director of the NCVC, Williams continues to lead with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of those affected by crime. Her vision and dedication have made her a respected figure in the victim services field, and she remains a tireless advocate for those whose voices often go unheard.
Her passion for empowering survivors and creating a more just and compassionate society has been the driving force behind her career and reaches beyond her professional interests. She mentors through Big Brothers Big Sisters, advocates for children as a court-appointed special advocate, and is a weekly volunteer at Maryland Therapeutic Riding. For these efforts, she has been recognized as an Athena Young Professional Finalist, named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 under 40, and received a Jefferson Award.
Williams has a juris doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from Point Park University.
Nela Kalpic, Moderator and State Director·Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin — An internationally recognized expert in victim rights and justice policy, Kalpic currently serves as the State Director for Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin.
In this role, she leads statewide initiatives to strengthen victims’ constitutional rights and improve collaboration across justice systems.
Originally from Serbia, she spent over a decade living in the Middle East before making the United States her home.
She is the creator of the internationally recognized Victim Rights Mapping framework, a widely respected and innovative tool that visually and systematically traces a victim’s journey through the justice system. The model has been adapted for use by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the National Guard, and the Department of Corrections, providing jurisdictions with a strategic tool to identify systemic gaps and strengthen interagency collaboration.
Kalpic’s mapping initiatives have received both national and international recognition for their impact. She continues to advise agencies across the United States and around the world on implementing rights-based, victim-centered practices tailored to community needs, fostering stakeholder collaboration to strengthen outcomes for victims.
Kalpic serves on the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) Board of Directors, the U.S. Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus Advisory Committee, and the Board of Directors for the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI).
She is also an elected member of INVICTM, a global expert network supporting victims of terrorism and mass violence.
A sought-after speaker, Kalpic has presented at conferences around the world and has collaborated with victim support agencies across countries to advance global best practices. She is regularly featured in media coverage on victim support, services for those impacted by crime, and efforts to strengthen victims’ rights.
Viewers may access the video here.
