SAFEchild, Special Victims Work, and Finding Strength: Ramblings with ADA Melanie Shekita

In this episode of Ramblings of a Restless Mind, co-hosts Jen and Dejah welcome Melanie Shekita, an assistant district attorney in Wake County with nearly 28 years at the DA’s office and team leader of the Special Victims Unit, longtime SafeChild partner, and former volunteer firefighter. Melanie shares how she became involved with SafeChild, the growth of the organization and its Child Advocacy Center, and why a nonprofit-based, child-friendly forensic interview model matters for reducing retraumatization and improving accountability. The conversation covers the far-reaching impact of sexual abuse on families, the need for CAC services across counties, and the realities of secondary trauma for prosecutors and investigators, along with Melanie’s coping outlets like cycling and her rescue dogs. They end with lighter listener questions and opinions on everyday debates. 00:00 Bravery and Healing 00:36 Show Intro and Jingle 01:37 Meet Melanie Shekita 03:35 Bio and Firefighter Life 04:41 Belichick Side Rant 06:19 SafeChild Gala Story 08:08 One in Four Kids 11:46 DA Path to SVU 13:57 Building the Advocacy Center 17:02 New SafeChild Facility 18:41 Fundraising and Foster Care 24:12 Volunteer Firefighting Origin 26:14 Coping With Trauma 34:10 Remote Testimony for Kids 35:28 Safe Child Forensic Interviews 36:44 Expanding CAC Services 39:38 Hot Dog Sandwich Debate 41:03 Song Stuck on Repeat 42:05 AI Fears and Regulation 46:48 Voicemail Petty Hills 52:36 Cancel Culture and Comments 57:00 Wrap Up and Dog Talk