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Trump attacks Liz Cheney using violent war imagery; Election insights: What 50 Ohioans want to hear from candidates; Consumer groups slam CA Supreme Court ruling on lemon law; On National Brush Day, new resources in KY to boost oral health.

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Harris says her campaign is prepared for Trump to prematurely claim victory, Pennsylvania election officials say safeguards in the system are preventing vote fraud, and Montana Senate race could hinge on the "political refugee" vote.

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A Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others, rural Montanans are anxiously awaiting a court ruling over a climate lawsuit brought by young people, and Northeast states say more housing for working families could boost jobs.

Family of slain UARK student uses tragedy to help others

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Wednesday, May 22, 2024   

A nonprofit organization is working to reduce the stress on trauma survivors - and it began with a tragedy. "Project Beloved" creates "soft" police station interview rooms. They paint the walls and add comfortable furniture, lamps, rugs and artwork to make them less cold and sterile.

Tracy Matheson, Project Beloved founder, said she created the concept after studying "trauma-informed investigations," which puts the survivor's needs at the forefront.

"The space no longer looks like it belongs in a law enforcement agency, but instead looks like it belongs in someone's living room. And when you bring a victim to that space, they can see that space and perhaps be able to imagine that maybe this isn't going to be as bad," she explained.

Matheson started Project Beloved in 2018, the year after her daughter Molly Jane was raped and murdered in Texas. The 22-year-old was a student at the University of Arkansas. Matheson says her goal is to change the conversation about sexual assault and give trauma survivors a voice. They've worked with police and sheriff's departments and the military to transform more than 100 interview rooms nationwide.

The family lives in north Texas, and the nonprofit was instrumental in passing two sexual assault laws in the state of Texas, including one known as "Molly Jane's Law." Both pieces of legislation require law enforcement to share information nationwide about sexual assault suspects. When Molly Jane Matheson was killed, her parents established a $2,200 scholarship in her name to honor their daughter.

"Molly was a loud and proud Razorback; she really loved her time at the University of Arkansas and had plans to be a social worker. She wanted to work with troubled youth, she was going to be very good at it. And so, it just seemed right that we would establish a scholarship in her name," Matheson said.

University of Arkansas students from Texas and Florida, studying social work, are eligible for the scholarship.


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