Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center

"Grassroots support is growing," Donna Koester of Sevierville, who is spearheading the drive, said. "The citizens of Sevier County have been awesome. They're calling and coming forward and offering their support."

The center would assist children who are victims of suspected sexual or physical abuse and severe neglect. It would serve children in the 4th Judicial Circuit, which includes Sevier, Jefferson, Cocke and Grainger counties.

The Tennessee Department of Children's Services got more than 5,000 cases of suspected abuse and neglect referred to its 4th District social workers last year. There were just over 2,000 cases in Sevier County out of an estimated population of 18,000 children under the age of 18. That means more than 11 percent of children in the county were suspected victims.  

The figure is 14 percent in Jefferson, where Barry Fain is youth services officer. 

"That number is appalling," he said. "When you have 14 percent of your kids under 18, that's a pretty substantial number." 

Jefferson County hosted a community meeting earlier this month to discuss the child advocacy center and drew close to 40 people. 

"It was a pretty good turnout," Fain said. "People are interested in and care about kids. I was pleased. We had several to sign up to be on the task force to further this cause in Jefferson County." 

Tuesday's meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. on the third floor of the courthouse, will include the naming of the overall task force as well as committees to explore fund-raising, public relations and marketing, and a search for property. Koester is hopeful somebody might donate property or a large house that can be remodeled into the center. 

The facility would provide a home-like atmosphere where officials can interview and counsel victims away from government offices and more threatening environments. It also would house officials who work with families of the victims and provide community education about child abuse and neglect.  

Koester said one of the first goals of the local effort is to get nonprofit, tax-exempt status. That's in the works. Once that happens the agency would be eligible for grant money from foundations and government agencies. The state of Tennessee likely will provide $15,000 in start-up funding and $50,000 annually, she said. 

Koester said many people have offered to volunteer with the agency once it gets going. 

To attend Tuesday's meeting people are asked to call Koester at 453-2638 or Crystal Ratcliff at 429-7012