In 1973, Nancy received her MSSW from UTA , and became a CPS Supervisor.   And soon was a Program Director.  Over time Nancy and Ann attended training programs and also provided sexual abuse training to many groups and disciplines. In 1994, Nancy graduated from law school. After her retirement from State/County service, Nancy represented child victims of abuse/neglect placed in substitute care.  She was also appointed to represent juveniles in detention and parents of children in care. She also helped develop training for CPS staff under a contract with the State, called “Terrified of Testifying? Catatonic over Court?” She deeply enjoyed traveling all over the state to provide this training!

She has a wonderful heart and unwavering faith, which she harnessed in a powerful way when her daughter, Molly Jane, was brutally assaulted and murdered on April 10, 2017. She channeled her overwhelming grief by throwing herself 1000% into creating good for future survivors. Through her loss she formed Project Beloved. She and her volunteers have brought countless soft interview rooms into being nationwide to soften the experience of survivors reporting the crime. She spearheaded new legislation to improve communications between law enforcement agencies investigating sexual assaults. She increased awareness and education around the issue on a national level through her work with television and film professionals, supporting the development of a Dateline episode of Molly’s story, and a documentary with TCU aptly named Beloved. Her work is impressive and comes from a place of deep commitment.

Greg began his police career in 1983 with the Arlington Police Department. In 1996, he was assigned to the Amber Hagerman Task Force. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1997, but in 2001 found his true calling when he became an Investigative Sergeant over the Domestic/Sex Crimes Unit. In 2019, Greg was assigned to the CACU (Crimes Against Children Unit) overseeing abuse and neglect of children investigations, sexual assault, and online solicitation of children investigations. After 38 years of dedicated service, Greg retired from the Arlington Police Department in 2021. During Greg's 38 years with the Arlington Police Department, he showed a true commitment and passion for protecting and advocating for victims of sexual abuse, as well as helped provide a victim-centered approach as a member of TCSAAC. He also helped implement an innovative collaboration between the Domestic/Sex Crimes Unit and The Women's Center of Tarrant County in 2001. He was the 2004 recipient of The Department of Justice's Award of Professional Innovation in Victim Services. "A Good detective soon realizes that a victim in a sexual assault case is by far the most important piece of evidence you have, and if you trample on that evidence, it is much worse than trampling on a crime scene.”

Kim D'Avignon has been with the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's office since February 2001. She has worked in a variety of areas at the Distritct Attorney's office including Narcotics, Family Violence, Crimes Against Children and is currently a Felony Court Chief. She serves as a member of the Tarrant County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), as well as volunteers much of her time to helping children who are grieving the death of a family member.

Officer Martinez has served as an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Investigator for 6 years. The ICAC unit works in conjunction with the Fort Worth Police Department's Crimes Against Children Unit. Their primary mission is to investigate Online Solicitation of a Minor, Possession/Promotion of Child Pornography, and other internet-related crimes involving children. Officer Martinez works diligently to identify and apprehend these types of offenders. Officer Martinez is also a Federal Task Force Officer with the FBI's Dallas Child Exploitation Task Force, a member of the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and a member of the Homeland Security Investigations Task Force.

For 30 years, BISD has provided sexual assault and abuse prevention to their students. They work with community partners to ensure that professionals in the field are brought into schools to provide research and evidence-informed programs on multiple levels of the prevention spectrum.

Case Manager for the RISE program and Tarrant County CSCD. She is a tireless advocate on behalf of victims of domestic violence. She heads the organization, Cheryl's Voice, in honor of her mother, which offers education, intervention, and advocacy on behalf of victims. In connection with their physical abuse, many of those victims were also sexually abused and trafficked. The RISE program was created in 2011, which is for women who have experienced significant sexual trauma and who have frequently been ushered into a life of prostitution. They are also identified as suffering from mental illness and drug addiction. The RISE program represents possibly their last chance to recover from the trauma suffered at the hands of others. The success of the RISE program is in large part a direct result of Ms. Jackson-McDougle's exemplary work.

These dedicated nurses at John Peter Smith Hospital have advanced education and instruction in medical forensic examination and in psychological and emotional trauma. SANE nurses may also provide expert testimony in a court of law. These SANE nurses are dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate care in a safe and private environment.

Chief Prosecutor of the Crimes Against Children Unit in the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. She has worked for the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office since 1997, holding her current position since 2007. She has dedicated her career to protecting children and all those effected by sexual abuse. She works tirelessly in training and supporting an excellent staff who share her passion for helping victims and ensuring that victims have rights. This person has provided valuable information during past workshops and continually goes over and above to help the community.

She is an outstanding member of the community whose name is synonymous with victims’ rights and protecting children. If there is something that has happened in the field of protecting children or advocating for rights of victims, this person has likely been instrumental in it. She is committed to Justice for Children and Changing the Lives of Children. She is always willing to be hands-on and do whatever is needed to help the community. She invests much of her time and expertise to help the community and advocate for the care of children and families in Tarrant County. She has worked a lifetime creating organizations, such as the Alliance for Children. She is the past Chair of the Tarrant County CPS Board. She is the secretary of the Amon G. Carter Foundation Board of Directors. She and her foundation have continually provided funding to multiple agencies to help with research and protecting children and families.

He was a former prosecutor for the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office and colleague of Mitch Poe. David continued Mitch Poe’s work in the District Attorney’s office as he fought for the rights of victims.

Stemming from the murder of Rona’s sister and Lisa’s rape, the two have managed to turn tragedy into a movement for change and triumph – not only in their own case but in the state and nation. Their journey, self admittedly, only has an end when there are no more sexually violent predators. This is a journey they willingly make through agencies, courts, and legislative sessions. They made the declared shift from victim to more than merely survivors – to forces to be reckoned with in Texas.

In 2002, he was credited for apprehending a serial rapist, Manuel Salamanca, Jr. The police in Arlington, Cleburne, Burleson, and Benbrook had been looking for the rapist for six years after being linked to nine rapes. Salamanca Jr. was then convicted and sentenced to two life sentences. Bubba has since dedicated his life to helping victims of abuse.

Tarrant County District Attorney for whom this award was named after. Mitch was instrumental in advocating for victims' rights.