Crime Victim turned survivor and advocate to speak at Operation Pretty Things' eighth Annual ONE Gala
Michele Green Shepherd and former District Attorney Ben David to reflect on the layers of response and care necessary to support victims of crime. OPT’s Care 4 Program attributed to successful court appearance and conviction.
In 1996, Michelle Green Shepherd, then 24, was kidnapped, brutally raped, beaten and left for dead by her assailant. Discovered by a passer-by who immediately pursued law enforcement and is credited for saving her life, Ms. Shepherd survived and began what would be more than a two-decades long road to recovery and criminal justice. In December, 2022, as a result of a DNA match, Ms. Shepherd finally achieved that justice when her assailant was found guilty and sent to prison for life.
Then District Attorney Ben David prosecuted the crime and attributes Ms. Shepherd’s witness testimony to the criminal conviction. Both he and Ms. Shepherd further attribute her strong testimony to the supportive services she received from Operation Pretty Things, specifically, OPT’s Care 4 Program.
On the morning of the trial when Ms. Shepherd would be forced to face her perpetrator, she first visited OPT’s suite at The Harrelson Center, Wilmington’s campus for humanitarian nonprofits. There, she encountered professional hair and make-up stylists, faith counselors and therapists who made sure she looked her best and reinforced her resilience for her court appearance.
DA David is certain that the services OPT provided significantly influenced Ms. Shepherd’s victim impact statement, which in turn, contributed to the judge and jury’s sentencing.
Operation Pretty Things Founder and Executive Director Missy Bennet, explained that Ms. Shepherd “was lavished with love and care by our team, and walked into that courtroom feeling confident and prepared.” When asked about her experience with OPT’s Care 4 Program, Ms. Shepherd said, “It’s value is beyond anything you could possibly imagine. They made sure I knew I wasn’t alone. I can’t believe anyone would love me like that. Ultimately, OPT changed my life by giving me a part of myself back.”
Mr. David, now retired from the District Attorney’s office, will appear with Ms. Shepherd at Operation Pretty Things’ ONE Gala which will recognize and celebrate the layers of support necessary to move just one woman from crime victim, through survivor, to determined advocate for criminal justice.
Among those who will be in attendance with Ms. Shepherd and Mr. David are the bystander who rescued her, her Rape Crisis advocate, healthcare workers, attorneys, law enforcement, therapists and members of the jury, each of whom played an essential role in Ms. Shepherd’s recovery.
Tickets are available for OPT’s 8th Annual ONE Gala.
The event is on Friday, September 27th from 6 to 10 PM, at Union Station on CFCC’s downtown campus.