[wtap.com]Athens County Sheriff’s Office opens soft interview room for trauma victims

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.

[spectrumnews1.com]Athens County Sheriff's Office unveils soft interview room

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Athens County Sheriff’s Office unveiled a soft interview room this week, dedicated to creating a calm environment for trauma-informed interviews.

[YouTube.com]Lynchburg police reveal new comforting rooms for victims

The Lynchburg Police Department has created two soft interview rooms, one for adults and one for juveniles, to provide a comfortable and secure space for victims and witnesses of crime to talk about their experiences.

[wset.com]Police in Lynchburg launch 'soft interview rooms' for victims and children

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Lynchburg police are changing the way they interview victims and witnesses with the launch of two new “soft interview rooms” designed to create a calmer, more supportive environment for some of the department’s most vulnerable individuals.

[texassignal.com]How Trauma-Informed Care Strengthens Justice For Sexual Assault Survivors

In Texas, less than one in ten sexual assault survivors report the crime to law enforcement, according to a report from the Houston Area Women’s Center. When survivors do choose to file a report, the process is often far from painless: clothing must be stripped and collected, interviews and statements must be given, and physical examinations must occur to collect DNA and further evidence. When executed incorrectly, this can lead to re-traumatization—which is why Tracy Matheson’s mission is to give survivors autonomy and comfort in their most vulnerable moments.

[morningjournal.com]North Ridgeville Police adds comfort room at station

North Ridgeville Police Department has built a “comfort room” to conduct interviews with assault victims.

“The North Ridgeville Police Department is proud to announce the opening of a newly designed soft interview room, made possible through Project Beloved, a nonprofit organization that focuses on empowering sexual assault survivors,” the department stated in a news release.

[altavistajournal.com]Sheriff’s Office opens trauma-informed interview space with support grant from Project Beloved

The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is proud to announce the opening of a newly designed interview space made possible through a grant from Project Beloved, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the conversation about sexual assault.

The grant was awarded to CCSO in 2024, and the project was completed on July 26, 2025. The new room offers a warm, welcoming, and trauma-informed environment where adult survivors of sexual assault and interpersonal violence can feel safe to share their stories.

[gmu.edu]George Mason provides soft interview room to support survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence

The George Mason University Police Department recently installed a soft interview room on campus to support survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. With support from Project Beloved: The Molly Jane Mission, a nonprofit organization, the soft interview room provides a critical component of trauma informed care to the campus community.

[YouTube.com]Molly Jane's Legacy: The importance of information sharing and trauma-informed investigations

In this powerful video, Tracy Matheson shares the heartbreaking story of her daughter, Molly Jane, whose life was tragically cut short by sexual violence in 2017. Determined to honor Molly’s memory and prevent similar tragedies, Tracy founded Project Beloved: The Molly Jane Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the conversation around sexual assault and empowering survivors. One of the organization's significant achievements is the enactment of Molly Jane’s Law (HB 3106) in Texas. Effective September 1, 2019, this law mandates that law enforcement agencies input details of sexual assault cases into the FBI’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP), facilitating the identification and apprehension of serial offenders. Project Beloved also supports survivors through initiatives like Beloved Bundles—care packages provided to individuals undergoing forensic exams—and the creation of soft interview rooms designed to offer a comforting environment during the reporting process. To learn more about Project Beloved and how you can contribute to their mission, visit projectbeloved.org.

[conwaydailysun.com]Ossipee police station features 'soft' interview room

OSSIPEE — The new Ossipee police station now has a comfortable place for victims to tell their stories to officers thanks to a grant from an organization in Texas called Project Beloved: The Molly Jane Mission.

[katv.com]Police department creates 'soft interview room' to accommodate sexual assault survivors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (TND) — A police department in Missouri debuted the first "soft interview room" in the state to accommodate sexual assault survivors and make them feel more comfortable during the interview process.

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department posted before and after photos of the room as it went through a big makeover. Police said soft rooms act as a "critical component of Trauma-Informed Care, allowing survivors to feel physically and emotionally safe."

[kcpd.org]KCPD Installs First “Soft Interview Room” In Missouri by Project Beloved

After a total makeover, KCPD now has the first “Soft Room” in Missouri installed by the nonprofit Project Beloved.

Detectives from the Special Victims Unit (SVU) will use the soft room to accommodate and interview survivors of sexual assault and trauma. A soft room is a critical component of Trauma-Informed Care, allowing survivors to feel physically and emotionally safe. This can have a positive impact on the interview process.

The makeover included carpet, art work, furniture, and lighting. KCPD is grateful for another nonprofit, the Police Foundation of Kansas City, which funded this remodel. This project would not be possible without them.

Also pictured is what old interview room like to show the drastic improvement. Project Beloved is based out of Texas

[kctv5.com]Police department creates ‘soft’ interview room for assault survivors

The Kansas City Police Department unveiled its first “soft room,” the first of its kind in Missouri.

The soft room will be used to interview survivors of sexual assault and trauma.

The department said a soft room is a “critical” component of trauma-informed care and allows survivors to feel physically and emotionally safe. It can also have a positive impact on the interview process.

[kcur.org]Kansas City Police built a 'soft room' for interviewing victims, inspired by a mother's tragedy

Tracy Matheson's organization Project Beloved is funding makeovers of rooms that police use to interview sexual assault victims — including in Kansas City, Missouri. The project was born after the violent death of Matheson's daughter.

[publicnewsservice.org]TX group works to soften trauma for sexual assault survivors

A north Texas nonprofit organization is working to reduce stress for trauma survivors 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.

[wsls.com]National Crime Victims’ Rights Week brings light to Soft Interview Room in Lynchburg

A way to make victims feel safe — that’s the goal of the new Soft Interview Room for the Lynchburg Victim Witness Program.

[www.mystateline.com]Freeport Police redesign interview room to be more welcoming to trauma survivors

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Freeport Police have given one of its interview rooms a makeover to accommodate survivors of violence.

The new “soft interview” room features a “trauma-informed” design after being repainted and carpeted and given new furnishings to make the room more comfortable.

[wrex.com]New Freeport Police interview room aims to help domestic violence victims

FREEPORT — The Freeport Police Department is showcasing a new “soft” design to it's interview room, based on research that shows Trauma Informed Care and victim-centered approaches are the best practices when interviewing victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

[nbc12.com]New ‘soft interview rooms’ to help sexual assault victims

HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - With comfortable chairs, blankets, chosen artwork and essential oils, the new ‘soft interview room” is now open at Henrico Police Headquarters.

Henrico Police Division Captain Lauren Nobles says the design helps make victims more comfortable while sharing details about a traumatic event with police as they investigate a case.

“Having anything that can be the most remote, more inviting is the key, is going to what allows us in law enforcement to help the victim,” Nobles said.

Rooms like this are being installed across the country, and Tracy Matheson is the leader behind these efforts.

[KUER.org]To ease victim’s trauma, the U’s new police station has a soft interview room

In the University of Utah’s recently unveiled police station, you’ll find something new. The facility includes a “soft interview room” — a space meant to help sexual assault victims feel more comfortable reporting crimes.

The room looks like a therapist’s office, or maybe even a spa. Warm lamps illuminate teal and gray couches, draped with weighted blankets. A diffuser emits a washed out green glow on the soft, felt walls.

A painting hangs on the emerald green back wall. “A forest with purple flowers and the sun coming through on the other side of the trees, sort of relating hope through the art,” said Hilary White, the crime victim advocate coordinator for the University of Utah Police.

Until now, everyone — suspects and victims — were interviewed in the same cold, sterile room.

In the News

Tracy Matheson's organization Project Beloved is funding makeovers of rooms that police use to interview sexual assault victims — including in Kansas City, Missouri. The project was born after the violent death of Matheson's daughter.