Making a Difference: It Happened to Alexa Foundation

  

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A personal note from Allan Measom:

Raptor Technologies is involved in many charities. To list them all would just be self-serving, but I would like to tell you about one which has profoundly moved both me and my wife, Carol.  

I not only want to tell everyone about this amazing organization, I want you to know about the people behind the scenes who are truly making a difference.

Founded by Tom and Stacey Branchini, the It Happened to Alexa Foundation honors the courage of their daughter Alexa, who survived a traumatic rape by a stranger who broke into her college dormitory the second week of her freshman year. The armed rapist hid in the shower and viciously attacked Alexa when she entered the bathroom for a drink of water.

Although the perpetrator was caught that same night, Alexa’s nightmare was hardly over. She endured 18 long months of court delays-—tactics by the defense—and an invasive investigation into her character and reputation. But Alexa and her family persisted.

The trial lasted three weeks. Alexa was questioned by the defense attorney for hours, with accusations of consensual sex. The consent defense has become common in rape trials since DNA can definitively tie the perpetrator to the scene of the crime.

Because Alexa persevered, her attacker will not have the chance to traumatize other young women for a long, long time. The jury sentenced him to 40-45 years without possible parole. He will be a very old man if and when he is released.

Alexa was able to rely on her family’s support throughout her ordeal. The Branchinis had the financial means to travel with Alexa from their home to Boston for the entire trial. But many families do not have the ability to take time off from work or travel long distances or pay for hotels and meals. The Foundation was created so that financial limitations would not prevent other families from supporting a loved one when they need it the most.

The It Happened to Alexa Foundation is a non-profit organization which assists rape victims and their families by easing the financial burden they face while traveling to attend the criminal trial. The hope is that more survivors will go through with the prosecution in order to put these perpetrators behind bars.

Someone who knows about this organization is Wendy Murphy, Alexa’s attorney. Wendy is a former prosecutor, mother of five, and where she gets her God given strength and dedication is a blessing for sure.   You may have seen Wendy on television as a victims’ advocate and expert commentator on FOX, CNN and other cable networks. 

My wife and I met Wendy Murphy four years ago, and she told us about the It Happened to Alexa Foundation. She invited us to a luncheon where Bill O’Reilly was the guest speaker. (Alexa’s rape occurred at one of the universities O’Reilly attended). All of us participated again this year at the “Justice Is Served” event benefitting the Foundation.

No matter what your political inclinations, I can tell you one thing. Bill O’Reilly is a passionate man who speaks from the heart.  No notes are needed and his message is always dead on.   

When he says that what the It Happened to Alexa Foundation is doing is “an expression of American exceptionalism,” I wholeheartedly agree.

This year, Donald Trump opened the doors of his home,Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, FL. Trump is another person the cameras portray one way, but I can tell you, firsthand, that his heart is large to do this.  Trump and his wife were this year’s fundraising co-chairs.

I share all of this with you because I am a firm believer that someone will see this and feel compelled, like my wife and I did, to ask more questions and get involved.

Know this: The average conviction rate for most rape cases is around 6%, but when the It Happened to Alexa Foundation is involved, the rate soars to 84%.

We can do more to help. The It Happened to Alexa Foundation is making that difference.

Thank you for your time and please consider learning more about the It Happened to Alexa Foundation.  www.ithappenedtoalexa.org

E. Allan Measom

President & CEO, Raptor Technologies, Inc.

Allan & Carol Measom at "Justice is Served" fundraiser for the It Happened to Alexa Foundation at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, FL.