Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center

Where does a helpless child go when he or she has been the victim of abuse?  Does it make a difference that last year an estimated 1,560 children under age 18 in Jefferson County were sexually or physically abused, or neglected?

Of course it does.

This community is being offered the opportunity to tap into the unlimited kindness of citizens in Jefferson County to do something wonderful on behalf of abused, abandoned and neglected children.  In partnership with surrounding counties that make up the 4^th Judicial District (Cocke, Grainer, Jefferson and Sevier), a Child Advocacy Center (CAC), with a little help from caring citizens, could soon become a reality.

At a meeting Thursday night, representatives of juvenile court, law enforcement, children’s protective services, the district attorney’s office, as well as concerned citizens, joined together to learn how they could become partners in hope.  The 4^th Judicial District, one of only two in the Eastern Grand Division without a CAC, is well on its way to forming a taskforce to establish one.

Kirk Lane, Regional Administrator for Children’s Protective Services, told a crowd of nearly 40 people that he has already received a check for $500 – funds sufficient to file for 501C3 non-profit Tennessee corporation charter as soon administrative officers are elected, which will hopefully take place at the next task force meeting in Sevierville, July 26.

A Children’s Advocacy Center is a safe haven where children who have suffered abuse can be interviewed in an unthreatening and comfortable environment by compassionate, trained professionals.  The CAC offers many services for children, such as child-friendly interview rooms, crisis intervention and counseling, forensic medical exams, moral support and understanding.

The CAC atmosphere, unlike sterile hospitals, state offices or intimidating police station interview rooms, is designed to put children at ease; a place where they can share their terrible experiences one time to one individual without being overwhelmed with fear or shame.

As it is now, young victims must repeat their horror stories over and over again to several different entities – law enforcement officers, medical personnel, district attorneys, Department of Children’s Services workers, and ultimately, in juvenile court.  But, CAC curtails these painful interviews by having the entire mandated group (DA, DCS, law enforcement, mental health professional) present, usually our of sight, while, an interviewer specifically trained to work with children conducts the interview.

The initial examination is video or audio taped so that the child is spared repeating embarrassing details, and avoids the feeling of further victimization.  CAC also provides counseling and education for non-offending family members that will assist them in dealing with an abuse crisis, while perpetrators of the offense are strictly excluded.

Communities that have developed a CAC experience many benefits (according to the National Children’s Alliance website): more immediate follow-up to child abuse reports; more efficient medical and mental health referrals; reduction in the number of child victim interviews; increased successful prosecution, and consistent support for child victims and supportive adults.  This comprehensive approach, with follow-up services provided by the CAC, ensures that children receive child-focused services in a child-friendly environment – one in which the child’s needs come first!

Governor Phil Bredesen’s wife, Andrea Conte, recently walked 600 miles across the state to help raise greatly needed funds for Tennessee’s abused children, a walk in which Kirk Lane voluntarily participated, trudging up and down hills for eleven miles through rain in Bristol.  They, and others, truly care.

Federal and state grant money is available now for the start up and running of a vital 4^th Judicial District CAC.  In the four counties that make up the 4^th Judicial District, 5334 cases of child abuse have been referred to DCS for investigation in the past year alone.  Each day, fifteen new referrals come in.  Children are hurting.  They need this safe port in life’s storm.

Local citizens can help make a difference in a child’s life with little effort.  How?

¦ Become a volunteer: volunteers are needed to spread the word about the advocacy center and to help set up the new center once a lease is obtained (current location for establishing a center is yet unknown).

¦ Donate: donations are gratefully accepted to help fund the many services a CAC will offer.

¦ Be an advocate: talk to people in the community and spread the word about the new center and what it will mean for the community.

Barry Fain, Jefferson County Juvenile Court officer, strongly urges all interested community members to attend the next task force meeting, July 26, in the 3^rd floor annex of the Sevier County Courthouse, beginning at 6 p.m.

To report child abuse and neglect, call the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services hotline: 1-877-54ABUSE.

STAFF PHOTO

At CAC meeting

Jefferson City Mayor Darrell Helton discusses the potential Children’s Advocacy

Center with Kirk Lane, DCS Regional Administrator, while Barry Fain (front right),

Juvenile Court officer, talks with others about the prospects (Staff photo - Gayle Page)

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