Published March 19, 2026
By: Logan Riggenbach
ATHENS, Ohio (WTAP) - The Athens County Sheriff’s Office opened a soft interview room last week designed to make trauma victims feel more comfortable when reporting crimes.
The room became operational approximately a week ago after the office waited about a year on a grant waiting list. The furnishings arrived in late February 2026.
The room features weighted blankets, essential oils, throw blankets, comfortable furnishings and soft lighting. Project Beloved, a Texas-based nonprofit, shipped all furnishings for the room down to the light bulb. The sheriff’s office provided paint and new carpeting, with county commissioners contributing funds for those items.
All victims are eligible to use the room for any sensitive crime, including child abuse, sexual abuse and domestic violence cases. The room serves victims of all ages.
Victim advocates or support persons can be present during interviews based on the victim’s preference.
Brynne Morris with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office said Sheriff Smith encouraged staff to pursue new ideas to better serve the community.
“Our goal when interviewing a victim of a traumatic incident is to approach it with empathy, professionalism, and patience,” Morris said. “To give the victim a softer space that have the amenities that we have makes them feel more comfortable to speak with us about a traumatic incident that’s occurred.”
Project Beloved was established in memory of Molly Jane Matheson, who was raped and murdered in Texas by a known serial rapist. The organization has established 166 soft interview rooms across the United States.
The art on the walls was donated by the family of Megan Getrum, a photographer who was a second victim of the same suspect.
Morris said she found Project Beloved through research on soft interview rooms and reached out by email. The organization placed the sheriff’s office on a waiting list.
“It was an honor to work with Project Beloved and the family of Molly Jane Matheson,” Morris said. “They were great in guiding us to set up the room and to really have a better trauma-informed approach for our deputies.”
All deputies are trained in crisis intervention techniques and have received training in trauma-informed interview approaches.
The room is not open for public tours, but other community agencies can use the room if needed.