By Rachel Bauldree, Communications Manager, CCAW
Thousands of people from all walks of life come together in Dallas, Texas each May to enhance their skills on how to identify and combat crimes against women. Each attendee has their own individual story yet come together for a common purpose. This connection between attendees, speakers, and conference staff stir up feelings of gratitude for a strong connection in such an uncertain world.
Veronica Freeman, a 2025 Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW) attendee, felt as if CCAW was one of the most impactful conferences she had ever attended. Being new to the field, she was overwhelmed with the passion and compassion seen by the professionals attending and speaking at CCAW.
Upon reflection of her experience attending CCAW, a poem was born:
*Click HERE to see her spoken word version
The Unseen
By Veronica P. Freeman
You may feel invisible
But you are seen
You may think you’re mute
But you are heard
Hold on to hope
For help is on the way
Should you go
Or should you stay
Wondering if you’ll live
To see another day
Will you make it to court
To have your final say
Hoping the judge and jurors
Aren’t biased in their views
And return a swift verdict
That renders much value
Psychological, physical,
Emotional and sexual
All of which
Were nonconsensual
The diabolical treatment
You didn’t deserve
Dignity and respect
You want to preserve
Your cries for help
Sometimes fell on deaf ears
What will it take for them to hear
A puddle of blood
Or holes in the wall
A hanging rope
Perhaps some dope
Buckets filled with tears
Your world consumed with fears
Masking a brave face
To make it through the day
Pondering if the next person
Will listen to what you have to say
Often criminalized
So your story gets minimized
Victims of crime
And in many cases the system
Yet you’re expected
To show loyal patriotism
You’re painted as the villain
And that you were willing
Does this sound familiar
Poor white trash
Looking for cash
Black or brown
No search party looking around
Sisters in the tribes
High rates of homicide
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Forget not
About the disabled,
The seniors and teens
Missing from the scene
But they hold the in-betweens
Or what about the unjust judicia
Of the LBGTQIA
+
The intersectionality of
Any of the above
You deserve a specialized team
Of doctors, lawyers, and advocacies
Law enforcement and EMTs
Therapist to cope with the trauma
How soon can you be rid of the drama
An ongoing crisis in this country
Compassion, resources
And of course, money
Is needed to fight the unending war
For status doesn’t matter
You could be rich or poor
This is no movie
For it’s real life
As a society
How do we make it right
It’s not their fault
Let’s facilitate the halt
And protect them in every way
They desire to survive
And deserve to thrive
Victims No More
For what’s in store
Is all they could
Have ever imagined for
So, let’s ban together
And continue the critical work
Yes, it is hard
But we must safeguard
Our Mothers, Sisters, and Daughters
So listen when they speak
To what they have to say
And make them feel SEEN
Each and every day
We are incredibly grateful for the professionals who take the time out of their busy schedules to join us each year to build relationships, gain new skills, and understand gaps that can be fixed.
We encourage you to continue showing up in whatever capacity you are able, because the women who are victims or survivors deserve our attention and understanding.
Consider joining us this year, or next year, or the next, or the next! We will always be here for you and for women.
