A local victim advocate has been appointed to the board that reviews the state's sex offender registry and categorizes offenders.

Gov. Nathan Deal announced the appointment of Katie Strayhorn to the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board on Sept. 16. The term is for four years.

"I'm truly honored by this appointment. I look forward to serving the community in this new and challenging role," Strayhorn said.

The board is tasked with determining the likelihood that a sexual offender will engage in another crime against a victim. The board also determines if offenders are considered a level one offender, level two offender or a sexual predator. Assessments are used by criminal justice professionals such as sheriffs and members of the parole board or department of corrections.

With a bachelor's degree in social work from Jacksonville State University and a graduate of the National Victim Assistance Academy at the Medical University of South Carolina, Strayhorn is employed by Northeastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Lee Darragh as director of the Dawson County Victim Assistance Program.

"Katie has genuine compassion for victims and is a dedicated asset to the DA's office and the people of Dawson County," Darragh said. "Gov. Deal could not have made a better choice to serve in this important role."

Strayhorn is also active in her community, volunteering with the United States and Georgia Crisis Response teams. She also serves as chairwoman of the Dawson County Child Fatality Review Board and is secretary of the United Way for Dawson County's Board of Directors.

Strayhorn and her son, Wyatt, live in Dawsonville.