Harris County DA Allocates $269,000 Grant to Expand Forensic Interviewing Staff for Sexual Assault Victims

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg has announced a significant step in enhancing support for sexual assault victims. Ogg’s office will allocate $269,000 to a local group, the Forensic Center of Excellence, with the aim of quadrupling its staff of forensic sexual assault interviewers.

The funding will facilitate the expansion of the center’s adult forensic interviewing programs, which prioritize creating a less invasive and intimidating environment for victims. Adult forensic interviewers, who undergo extensive training, collaborate with law enforcement to conduct interviews in a neutral and secure setting, distinct from traditional police stations or hospital rooms.

During a joint announcement with experts in the field, Ogg emphasized the importance of minimizing trauma for victims while still gathering essential information for identifying and prosecuting assailants. The approach aims to encourage victims to share more detailed information about their experiences compared to a potentially more aggressive law-enforcement interview.

Khara Breeden, founder and CEO of the Forensic Center of Excellence, expressed gratitude for Ogg’s ongoing support, noting that the grant from the District Attorney’s Office will enable the hiring of three additional full-time forensic interviewers, bringing the total to four. The Forensic Center of Excellence, operating out of offices in the Upper Kirby District, has been receiving funding from Ogg’s office for its Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners adult forensic interviewing programs for over two years.