The Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center held its annual Child Abuse Awareness Rally and celebrated its 20th anniversary on Friday.
The fundraising event also served to share the importance of its work in the community.
Steve Mackin, Mercy's president and CEO, and members of the law enforcement and legal justice communities were present at Friday's event.
The keynote speaker was Jennifer Schuett, a survivor of child abuse who has seen firsthand the impact that child advocacy professionals can make.
"The work that we do in our hospitals and our clinic is particularly meaningful," said Mackin. "We serve those who have no ability to pay. We advocate for them. But our work in our outreach ministries is particularly special."
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Mackin said the work of Cooper-Anthony is in line with the original inspiration for the company Catherine McAuley, who started the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, 195 years ago. He said her work of helping women and children in poverty lives on through their efforts today.
"I'm very proud of the work that you all do today," he said. "And I've got to believe that Catherine McAuley would be very proud of the impact that you're making on the thousands of lives and families and children here in the community."
At the event, guests participated in a silent auction, enjoyed a musical performance by the choir at Main Street Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School, dined on food provided by Stubby's BBQ, and witnessed a special marble ceremony to honor those who recently worked to convict Barry Alan Walker of rape, child pornography and other offenses. There were also award ceremonies and the miraculous testimony of Schuett.
"I stand here not only as a survivor, not only as a victim advocate, but also as a parent," she said. "It gives me a sense of peace to look around this room and see all of you here in attendance today, knowing that we've all come together for a purpose -- the children."
In 2022 the center directly served 833 children and provided prevention and education services to 19,442 children and 1,402 adults in their tri-county service area, Schuett said.
"At the time that my attack occurred, there were no advocacy centers where I live in Galveston County, Texas," she said.
Schuett recounted the story of her attack, which took place when she was 8 years old.
In 1990, she was taken from her home by a man who claimed to be an undercover policeman. He sexually assaulted her before slitting her throat and leaving her for dead in a field.
Roughly 12-14 hours later, Schuett was found and given medical treatment, but was expected never to speak again. Despite all odds, she not only speaks today, but she also uses her voice to share her story with others and encourages other victims to do the same. She also shares how important centers like Cooper-Anthony can be to victims, helping them to feel heard and giving them more resources.
"I knew that I had survived for a reason," she said. "I knew God gave me my voice back for a reason."
After years of seeing little to no progress in her case, one detective finally took on the case and reassured her that he would do whatever it takes to give her the answers she was looking for, no matter how long it takes.
"He knew I longed for justice, and for the first time in 18 years, it felt as though I was part of a team," she said.
Eighteen months later, thanks to the advancement of forensic technology, Dennis Earl Bradford was charged with attempted capital murder in October 2009 in North Little Rock.
When it looked like things would finally be resolved for Schuett, another blow would stop her from seeing Bradford brought to justice. Before his trial, Bradford hung himself in his jail cell, never receiving his sentence for his crime.
After months of preparing for her day in court, Schuett instead read her victim statement on Bradford's grave. She still says that catching him was one of the proudest moments in her life.
"I'd like to encourage all members of law enforcement, the district attorney's office, attorney general's office, medical personnel, therapists, nurses, forensic interviewers, victim advocates, anyone who may be here this afternoon working crimes against children, to do the same," she said.
"Please never give up. Sometimes it takes months, years, even decades. Work the cases together with confidence and dedication for the victims, survivors, their families, their friends. Keep up the fight for justice."
A team of legal professionals and law enforcement, including Clark County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Turner, right, take part in the Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center marble ceremony. The group, which recently convicted Barry Alan Walker with dozens of life sentences and over 1,000 years in prison, pours marbles into a jar to represent his sentence. - Photo by Lance Brownfield of The Sentinel-Record.
Steve Mackin, Mercy president and CEO, speaks at Friday's event that celebrates 20 years of child advocacy in Garland, Pike and Clark counties. - Photo by Lance Brownfield of The Sentinel-Record.