2023 Annual Report

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Project Beloved has designated the soft interview room at the police station in Burnet, TX,
near Austin, as the “FAUSA room,” which will have a plaque with FAUSA’s name on it. This
location was selected because of its proximity to the Austin FAUSA group which has an
extended history with Project Beloved. The group was introduced to PB by FAUSA Austin
members, Barbara and Kelsey McKay (mother and daughter) who have been supporting the
organization for several years. PB is a member of RESPOND Against Violence, a
collaborative alliance dedicated to fighting trauma, interpersonal and sexual violence, child
abuse, and human trafficking, founded by Kelsey McKay. The Austin FAUSA group has
previously participated in two assemblies of Beloved Bundles with Project Beloved for local
sexual assault centers.
On April 14, 2023 FAUSA members, Brenda Brinkley, Therese Hartwell, Deb Shine and Pat
Sedberry had the unique and rewarding opportunity to assist Project Beloved founder Tracy
Matheson in setting up “our” soft interview room. The group was joined by married couple,
Debi (a Victims Advocate) and Chris (a detective with the Burnet police department) King,
who were responsible for obtaining permission to create the soft interview room. The group
was gratified to learn that Chris, who heard Tracy Matheson speak at the Crimes Against
Women Conference, was actually the original impetus behind the room, and together he and
Debi pushed through initial resistance to secure the department’s permission.
The photos below give an idea of the difference these rooms make, showing the old jail
where sexual assault survivors were originally interviewed, the makeshift temporary soft
interview room that Debi and Chris set up with scavenged furnishings and the final room
FAUSA members helped set up. One special touch in the soft interview rooms is the photos
on the walls which were taken by another victim of the man who raped and killed Tracy’s
daughter, Molly Jane.