Holly's House

Where We Began

holly photo Holly Dunn Pendleton, Co-Founder

The Evansville Police Department chose the name Holly’s House™ for the Child and Adult Advocacy Center in honor of the work Holly Dunn Pendleton has done in educating our community on how to assist victims of sexual violence, as well as her personal efforts to reach out and help victims of sexual assault.

An Evansville native, she is the only known survivor of the Railroad Serial Killer. Holly has used her traumatic experience to help others heal from, or hopefully avoid, similar situations. She lives as a survivor, not a victim. Holly speaks at schools, women’s events, before judicial panels, and has provided training sessions for the entire Evansville Police Department. Holly was the recipient of the 2006 Jefferson Award for Community Service, sponsored by the Evansville Courier and Press; and one of five honorees of the 2006 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting a Community. She also serves on the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence.

For more information on Holly and her work, visit her website at www.hollykdunn.com!

Detective Brian Turpin, Co-Founder

Detective Brian Turpin is a Co-Founder of Holly’s House and served as one of the initial presidents of the Holly’s House Board of Directors. He has been an employee of the Evansville Police Department since 1996 and had been working with the sexual violence unit since 2003.

Detective Turpin was one of the leading forces behind the development of Holly’s House™. He came up with the original idea of an advocacy center in Evansville after graduating from Finding Words Indiana Training. Finding Words is a program that provided child abuse professionals with a comprehensive introduction to a forensic interview process that improves their ability to effectively and reliably interview children about sexual abuse. After attending this program, Detective Turpin began working on the development of what would one day become Holly’s House.

Through his work and countless hours of volunteered time as well as the generosity of many people, Holly’s House became a reality in September of 2008. Since that time Holly’s House has served approximately 300 clients and their families. As Holly’s House looks towards the future, the advocacy center hopes to serve the Evansville community in a way that positively impacts the lives of many people.

What We Do

Holly's House is a child and adult advocacy center for vistims of intimate crimes. It is a safe location whre adult and child victims of intimate violence are interviewed. A multi-disciplinary team including the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor's Office, Evansville Police Department, Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office, and the Department of Child Services work together to provide protection and justice. An advocate from Albion Fellows Bacon Center of the Lampion Center provide supprt for the victims and their famililes.

Holly's House partners with organizations and agencies that support the victims of intimate crimes we also serve...

Changed Lives

"The people here were great, don't change a thing!" ~Mother of Child

"We are thankful to have a safe place for people to come and get the help they need. This is truly a remarkable place, and the founder should be very proud of what she does to give those in need a safe place." ~Mother of Child

"Everyone here at Holly's House is very respectful and very respectful for anyone that needs help. I highly recommend it for anyone that needs help." ~Mother of Child

"I like how comfortable Holly's House was with the colors and toys. I got cookies and sprite!" ~Child

"Everyone at Holly's House was helpful and kind. It made an unpleasant experience easier. We really appreciate your help." ~Mother of Child

"We received much needed information and help." ~Family of Child

"I felt comfortable at Holly's House because I could talk about important stuff." ~Child

"I think this is a great place to investigate several crimes instead of the frightening atmosphere of the police station." ~Mother of Child

"I felt very comfortable and safe while I was here and giving my statement. Thank you all for being so kind and generous and caring." ~Child

"This place is wonderful. They made me and my daughter feel comfortable and like someone really cares what we're going through." ~Mother of Child

"I really felt comfortable, my kids had a great time (other then reason for visit). It's nice to know there is a place this great." ~Mother of Child

"All the doubts my daughter had about her assault; after seeing Holly's survival story and meeting with Holly-I believe made my daughter know that she was not alone. Holly is a survivor and I am so greatful my daughter met her and saw her courage and how she has made a safe haven for so many other victims." ~Mother of Child

"Did everything right for us." ~Friend

"I had a very good time at Holly's House and my cousin enjoyed her time here-she enjoyed all the toys. I don't think anything should be changed." ~Child