TAASA 2002 AWARDS

The TAASA Annual Awards Luncheon was held during TAASA’s annual conference on February 25th, 2003. We congratulate the following individuals for their outstanding service to victims of sexual assault and the campaign against sexual assault.

Champion for Social Change
Diane McGauley has been a champion of social change her entire adult life. As impressive as her life’s work has been, we are actually honoring her for what she has accomplished for sexual assault survivors in the span of 1 short year. Sometimes our impact is measured in results rather than years.

She has developed a strong working relationship with TAASA and the local sexual assault programs and opened up the process to effectively include service providers in decisions that directly impact their programs. This policy of open communication and collaboration dramatically empowered the local programs to participate in planning and goal setting and laid a strong foundation for a collective statewide approach for helping survivors heal and obtain justice. Join us in honoring Diane McGauley, our 2002 Champion for Social Change.

Excellence in Media Award
Andy Alford and Claire Osborn of the Austin-American Statesman set a standard this year in print media. Together, they produced an outstanding multi-part report that will serve as a model for cities across this state; a model to examine the Justice Systems response to sexual assault and a community’s dialogue about itself, its culture, and the barriers to justice for women, children and men who are sexually assaulted. This effort, the most comprehensive ever in local media, has saved lives and, by sparking community discourse, will continue to benefit Texans in the years to come.

Edith Rust Medical Services Award of Excellence
Julie Veidt, has been tirelessly working to improve the care of sexual assault patients and train medical personnel on sexual assault issues since becoming a SANE nurse in 1994. As our nation and state experience a critical shortage in nurses, the struggle to develop SANE programs throughout the state continues. Inspired by the victims and patients of all ages and walks of life that come through the emergency room doors, Julie Veidt has forged alliances and agreements between countless community organizations to improve and coordinate total community response efforts on behalf of survivors.

Innovative Program of the Year
Selected by Sam Houston State University to receive funding from the National Institute of Victim Studies, this years Innovative Program of the Year Recipient has developed a Web-Based Advocate Training Program. The convenience and flexibility make it an attractive option for volunteer training. The training modules cover all the fundamentals with easy access, self-paced sessions, self-tests for comprehension and understanding, as well as built-in assessment tools. A great staff development tool, it can be adapted for specialized advocates in the medical, law enforcement, criminal justice, and other related fields. All brought to you by the Montgomery County Women’s Center, The 2002 Innovative Program of the Year.

Educator of the Year Award
Together, Becky Talley and Dale Metz have administered over 380 trainings to over 11,000 people in the last year on a range of topics in 13 counties, 46 schools, to juvenile probation departments, school staff, clients at mental health facilities and substance abuse centers, treatment facilities, social groups, health fairs, retirement centers, foster grandparents associations, undergraduate and graduate university classes, and more. This dynamic duo is making a difference in the Concho Valley. A number of victims have come in requesting services they first heard about in one of these presentations; local businesses call on these two when tragedy strikes at work; and area services like the Children’s Advocacy Center know when a presentation has been made by the number of parents calling for help.

The 2002 Vivian Miles Lifetime Achievement Award
Twenty-three years ago, Debbie Bresette opened her home to victims of sexual assault and began an arduous journey to build a community capable of the kindness and compassion necessary to restore shattered lives. Her voice rang out from Bastrop, clear and true…and her call was answered as individual survivors, loved ones, friends and neighbors came forward by the hundreds to serve. Twenty-three years of intense growth and heart wrenching loss have built a safety network and shared vision free of sexual violence and oppression for all to celebrate.

The 2002 Justice Award
Sgt. Patrick Welsh is a role model for all who have the courage to care. Five years of responding to sexual assaults, leading a team of investigators, writing grants for vital training, seeking out advocates and coalitions, and most importantly, his personal commitment, and pains-taking professionalism has brought together a community trying to heal for nearly two decades from the devastation of a serial rapist. When a survivor called the police department on the 16th anniversary of her assault, still hoping for some miracle of justice, this Officer heard - really heard her need. Despite being 11 years past the statute of limitations, he took the time and found the stored DNA. With the new technology and data bank he found the rapist serving time for a felony, “The M Street Rapist.” Knowing other survivors of unsolved rapes were probably enduring similar hardships, he continued researching on his own time, interviewing officers and reviewing logs going back to the mid eighties. He found 22 other cases from the same rapist. Sgt. Patrick Welsh, Supervisor of the Dallas Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit, went on to contact 16 of the 22 survivors, notifying them of the attackers identity, his long prison sentence and how they could influence his parole eligibility.

Philanthropy Award of the Year (Clear Channel Communications)
Clear Channel's efforts to help TAASA and its members communicate our message to Texas families has been critical. Even before TAASA kicked off its public awareness campaign, Clear Channel has been an enthusiastic partner. From assistance placing radio advertisements to billboard space and studio time for the production of our new campaign, Clear Channel's statewide reach and commitment to help TAASA stretch its limited resources are greatly appreciated. Sexual assault is a silent crime, but with Clear Channel's help, TAASA is giving survivors and advocates a voice.

Excellence in Advocacy Award
Leisha Phipps has used every opportunity available to advocate for and support sexual assault survivors. She served as Clinical Director at The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center of Collin County for four years, working many tireless hours above and beyond her duty to provide support and help to sexual assault survivors and her team of advocates. Although she no longer is an employee, she has continued to volunteer and serve as a board member, public speaker, hotline advocate, intern supervisor, grant writer, and fundraiser with over 200 hours volunteered in the last six months. The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center of Collin County is deeply appreciative to Leisha for dedicating so much time and energy to serving their community.

Community Empowerment Award (U.S. Border Patrol Bayview Unit and the Family Crisis Center of Harlingen)
The Harlingen Family Crisis Center’s relationship with Bayview Border Patrol has been part of a proactive solution to the ongoing problem of sexual assault. Sexual assault among undocumented immigrants is a tremendous problem. It has been estimated that 80% of undocumented females who cross into the United States experience sexual assault and/or rape.

Bayview Border Patrol and the Family Crisis Center have formed a strong collaboration to benefit victims of sexual assault who may be detained by Immigration. The collaboration is so strong that at times, border patrol agents personally transport victims to The Family Crisis Center offices to receive counseling and crisis intervention.

This type of collaboration is a shining example of two agencies working together to assist sexual assault survivors who would normally go without sexual assault services.