Cut From a Tough Cloth: Wood County officials recognize victim advocates on Denim Day
Lori Fleagle, left, Family Crisis Intervention Center domestic violence and sexual assault outreach coordinator for Calhoun County, hugs FCIC sexual assault and certified domestic violence advocate Teresa Smith as Parkersburg Police Capt. Ricky Koher describes Fleagle’s work during the second annual Denim Day event organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Wednesday in Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Wood County Prosecutor’s Office victim advocate Jez Williams goes to hug Prosecutor Pat Lefebure after being recognized during the second annual Denim Day event organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Wednesday in Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg as SART Coordinator Teresa Smith, right, watches. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Wood County Prosecutor’s Office victim advocate Jez Williams hugs Prosecutor Pat Lefebure after being recognized during the second annual Denim Day event organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Wednesday in Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg as SART Coordinator Teresa Smith, right, watches. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Coordinator Teresa Smith, second from right, speaks about the work done by the North Star Child Advocacy Center as, from left, North Star Executive Director Greg Collins, Program Manager Candice Gabriel and forensic interviewers and family advocates Lindsey Ogden and Alexa Barker are recognized during the second annual Denim Day event organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Wednesday in Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg. Wood County Prosecutor Pat Lefebure is seen on the right. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Melissa Wise-Smitley, left, Family Crisis Intervention Center domestic violence and sexual assault outreach coordinator for Pleasants County, receives an award from FCIC sexual assault and certified domestic violence advocate Teresa Smith during the second annual Denim Day event organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Wednesday in Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
People who attended the second annual Denim Day event organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Wednesday in Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg pose for a photograph holding cards bearing the local slogan for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, “Community is Powerful in Ending Sexual Violence.” (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Lori Fleagle, left, Family Crisis Intervention Center domestic violence and sexual assault outreach coordinator for Calhoun County, hugs FCIC sexual assault and certified domestic violence advocate Teresa Smith as Parkersburg Police Capt. Ricky Koher describes Fleagle’s work during the second annual Denim Day event organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Wednesday in Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Wood County Prosecutor’s Office victim advocate Jez Williams goes to hug Prosecutor Pat Lefebure after being recognized during the second annual Denim Day event organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Wednesday in Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg as SART Coordinator Teresa Smith, right, watches. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Wood County Prosecutor’s Office victim advocate Jez Williams hugs Prosecutor Pat Lefebure after being recognized during the second annual Denim Day event organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Wednesday in Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg as SART Coordinator Teresa Smith, right, watches. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Coordinator Teresa Smith, second from right, speaks about the work done by the North Star Child Advocacy Center as, from left, North Star Executive Director Greg Collins, Program Manager Candice Gabriel and forensic interviewers and family advocates Lindsey Ogden and Alexa Barker are recognized during the second annual Denim Day event organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Wednesday in Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg. Wood County Prosecutor Pat Lefebure is seen on the right. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Melissa Wise-Smitley, left, Family Crisis Intervention Center domestic violence and sexual assault outreach coordinator for Pleasants County, receives an award from FCIC sexual assault and certified domestic violence advocate Teresa Smith during the second annual Denim Day event organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Wednesday in Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
People who attended the second annual Denim Day event organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Response Team Wednesday in Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg pose for a photograph holding cards bearing the local slogan for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, “Community is Powerful in Ending Sexual Violence.” (Photo by Evan Bevins)
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PARKERSBURG -- Recognition bestowed upon advocates of sexual assault victims at Wood County's Denim Day event Wednesday in Bicentennial Park wasn't sought -- but it was appreciated.
"It meant a lot today," said Candice Gabriel, program manager at North Star Child Advocacy Center, a nonprofit that advocates for child abuse and neglect victims and conducts interviews of victims and young witnesses to crimes. "I don't need the recognition because I do this for children and I do this for the victims and survivors of abuse."
But Gabriel, who completed her 1,000th forensic child interview last fall, said knowing her work is appreciated confirms she's doing what she's meant to do.
"I can't imagine doing anything different with my life," she said.
Gabriel was one of four advocates recognized, along with North Star as an organization, during Wednesday's event, which was organized by the Wood County Sexual Assault Respnse Team and the Family Crisis Intervention Center.
The team includes law enforcement, social service organizations, hospitals, emergency personnel and the center, which provides shelter and advocacy for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Denim Day stems from a case in Italy, in which a 45-year-old driving instructor's sentence for rape was overturned on appeal after he argued the sex was consensual since the 18-year-old victim was wearing tight jeans that could only have been removed with her help. Italian women subsequently wore jeans to work to protest the decision.
April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with this year's theme of "Building Connected Communities." The local take on that is "Community is Powerful in Ending Sexual Violence."
"Standing in solidarity for survivors is what Denim Day is about," said Wood County SART Coordinator Teresa Smith, sexual assault and certified domestic violence advocate with the Family Crisis Intervention Center.
Last year's event celebrated law enforcement professionals who go above and beyond to combat sexual violence. This year the spotlight was on victim advocates.
"I'm a firm believer that if somebody is doing something extraordinary, they need to feel appreciated," Smith said.
Two FCIC staffers were recognized: Lori Fleagle and Melissa Wise-Smitley, who act as domestic violence and sexual assault outreach coordinators for Calhoun and Pleasants counties, respectively.
"It was very humbling. Been a lot of years," Fleagle said.
"I appreciate ... the community coming together to recognize the importance of our work," Wise-Smitley said.
Wood County Prosecutor Pat Lefebure recognized Jez Williams, a victim's advocate from his office, as "someone who works endlessly for victims' rights."
Williams said the recognition meant a lot.
"I put my soul into this work, and there's a lot of days we don't get the outcome we want," she said. "A lot of tears on the drive home."
Smith said the event was also a way to let people know help and support are available for victims of sexual assault.
"I want the community to know that there are resources available," she said. "We are here for them, and they can reach out to us."
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com