Sayje Brown joined the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office last week and has already begun serving as the office’s new special victims prosecutor.

Brown joins the office after spending eight years in the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, including four years in its Special Victims Unit. Brown received her law degree from Capital University and has also worked in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa Schiffel said Wednesday she’s proud of the work Cory Goe, the county’s first special victims prosecutor, did over the past two years. Schiffel said Goe stepped into another role, which led to the open position.

Schiffel said Brown will work closely with victims in certain types of cases, and the position is trauma-informed and has the goal of protecting victims from further trauma throughout the legal process.

“That approach is invaluable to ensuring the victim is not traumatized by the justice system over and over and over again,” Schiffel said. “That’s why having a dedicated prosecutor who is with these victims the minute we know about the case all the way through the sentencing is important. Part of what a prosecutor has to do is to earn trust and act as a wall to protect these victims that can feel victimized by the justice system.”

Brown said working special victims cases is her passion.

“They are incredible cases, and they take a special approach,” Brown said. “So to have the opportunity to get involved with that and work with someone like Melissa — who puts a special understanding and approach for those cases, values that approach, and envisions moving this area of practice forward — was just a great opportunity.”

Brown said one of her priorities is to work closely with victim advocates and to “try to be sensitive to what a victim has gone through.”

“Child sexual assault is so pervasive, and it is not talked about,” Brown said. “It’s usually someone the child knows and that has a life impacting (effect), but it doesn’t have to ruin a child’s life.”

Brown said she is excited to serve in the role and work in the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office.

“Being able to do law and make a difference is the dream,” Brown said. “I’ve been really impressed with Delaware and Melissa. I know her reputation, and I know her background. I know her history of standing up for victims, and it’s wonderful to be part of that. Being able to be a part of the vision that Melissa has for this office — the vision (of) protecting the people in the community, especially the ones who don’t have a voice — is a privilege.”

Schiffel said there’s a very good chance her office will be adding another special victims prosecutor at some point this year.

“There’s definitely a need for another special victims prosecutor,” she said. “The numbers justify and support having another experienced and passionate (prosecutor) for special victims.”