“It’s like a living room... actually maybe more like a den or a family room,” I exclaim as I sit down in one of the inviting leather chairs in this cozy room at the Public Safety Building. “That’s the idea,” replies Jennifer Aylor with a smile. Jennifer is the Victim Witness Program Director for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), and she’s invited me to check out one of the Sheriff’s Office’s more recent additions, this room, in honor of the upcoming National Crime Victims Rights Week (April 6-12) and Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April). I look around some more. I’ve spent plenty of time in the state-of-the-art Public Safety Building; it’s the home for Orange County’s first responders, including the Sheriff’s Office, Fire & EMS, and E-911. Each room is purpose- built and extremely functional. This one is too, but in a different way. Sweeping my eyes across the room, I notice two more comfy chairs (aside from the one I’ve taken for my own seat) - each with a throw blanket, several pieces of beautiful wall art, a basket of books and toys, and some potted plants. Warm lamps and a patterned area rug round out the atmosphere. “Soft interview rooms are becoming more popular around the country,” explains Jennifer as she sits in one of the chairs. “We were able to fund ours thanks to the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Victim Witness Grant program, and it was inspired by Project Beloved. In fact, they gave us design ideas,” she added while pointing to a framed certificate on the wall. The certificate highlights the mission of Project Beloved, and honors Molly Jane Matheson and Megan Getrum, who tragically became victims of rape and murder in April 2017, and in whose memories Project Beloved was founded. OCSO’s Soft Interview Room Helps Comfort Victims of Crime Editorial Article by Jayson Woods, Communications Specialist, Orange County Communications Department
I listen as Jennifer explains that “Soft Interview Rooms” help provide comfort to victims and witnesses while they work with law enforcement to help provide information about their case. Providing a space that is comfortable can help the victim know they are safe and surrounded by people that want to help. It makes a difficult experience just a little bit easier, and helps them open up about their experiences, which may have been quite traumatic. Project Beloved’s website puts it this way: “Creating a space that is comfortable rather than stark allows the participant to feel physically and emotionally safe and can have a significant impact on the interview process.” As I mentioned, the room is anything but stark, in fact, it’s incredibly warm and inviting, and I found that conversation flows easily in that setting.
Everything is designed with victims and witnesses in mind. A sound board helps keep conversations confidential, and OCSO staff know to recognize a “busy” sign which indicates the room is in use. While the room is not primarily intended for children, the toys and books remove an obstacle for mothers or other victims caring for children by giving them a way to stay together, if needed, during the interview process. “What’s behind that cover?,” I ask after about five minutes of sitting in the room. “It’s a television,” explains Jennifer. Once she told me, I almost couldn’t believe I didn’t realize it, but the colors help it blend with the surroundings, and apparently that’s intentional. “We may need to play video or display some other kind of evidence,” she elaborates. “It also allows a deputy to observe an interview going on in a different room if the situation requires it.” Even the chairs have been thoughtfully considered. They move, allowing a victim to fidget or change their position to make them feel more at ease.
Jennifer pointed out to me that Orange County’s soft interview room is the only one in our area. In a perfect world, a room like this would not be needed. However, it’s reassuring to know that this comforting new resource is available for those who do find themselves in that situation, and great care has been taken to support them.
5
OCI April 2025
Powered by FlippingBook