Warriors and Survivors

The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Parker County held its annual gala on Sept. 7 at Venue None twenty in Weatherford.

The Children's Advocacy Center of Parker County will coordinate the collaborative efforts between Child Protective Services, law enforcement, and prosecution, in the investigation of child abuse cases by providing specialized forensic interviews, therapeutic recovery services for the victim and their families, medical evaluations, and victim support and advocacy. They will also provide education for schools and communities on child abuse.

- CAC Mission Statement

Executive Director Kathryn Thompson of Annetta welcomed guests to the event, and stressed the importance of the work of the CAC.

CAC board member and Parker County District Attorney Jeff Swain addressed the group at the annual gala.

“You have the opportunity to be a part of the solution for a problem no one wants to see, but everyone must recognize,” Thompson told the assembled crowd of community supporters, law enforcement personnel, and elected officials. “So thank you for being here tonight and for caring about our mission to end the cycle of child abuse in Parker County by giving the children a voice.”

Later in the program Thompson thanked the staff of the CAC and affiliated agencies. She pointed out that the hours posted on the door at the CAC are 8-5, Monday through Friday.

“I want you to know with our partner agencies we work on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to be there for children who have been sexually abused, severely physically abused, or have witnessed domestic violence,” Thompson said. “Whether the child needs to come to the center at 10 a.m. or 10 p.m. we're there. Weekdays, weekends, holidays, regular days, we're there. We are there with our partners to do what we do best, which is take care of the child, investigate the abuse, and take the steps to stop those who are hurting children.”

One former client of the CAC, a victim of sexual assault on a school field trip, courageously took the stage to tell her story.

Lisa and Brian Catlin attended the gala to support the CAC.

“When I started the CAC, I was completely alone in every way shape and form. I was healing from knee surgery. I couldn't like a sport or anything like that,” she said. “With help from the CAC and everything that they brought to me I was able to find joy in and find peace and happiness able to step onto my high school campus without fear and without anxiety.”

She said she did not like the term “victim.”

“Well, yes, we were victims of a crime. That's not a label that we put on because we are so much more than that. We are warriors, survivors.”

The purpose of the evening was to raise funds for the center, and Aledo-area Rob Helms, a member of the CAC board, spoke about his experience in his association with the CAC over the past four years.