“As soon
as we can get this center up and running will not be soon enough,” declared
District Attorney General Al
Schmutzer, when
describing his enthusiasm and support for the Child Advocacy Center
(CAC).
“Everyone on my staff
will work diligently to make this happen; for it is something that the area
needs…the children need!”
The meeting
room was full of fervent supporters of the Child Advocacy Center, Tuesday
night. Representatives from each
county of the Fourth Judicial District were on hand to show support and
witness the beginnings of this great endeavor. It was at this meeting that an endorsement
and commitment from law enforcement agencies was acknowledged and the first
donation was accepted on behalf of the facility.
Currently,
there are 28 CAC’s in the state of Tennessee,
the Fourth Judicial District being one of the few without one. A CAC will allow children who have been
abused to get into counseling quickly and comfortably in a child-friendly
atmosphere. Medical examinations will
be performed at the center as well as extensive interviews. This has proven
to cause less stress on a child, thus rendering assistance to the child and
non-offending family parents in a setting that will put everyone more at ease
and in a more timely manner. Abused children are presently receiving
services from many different agencies.
Often a child must be questioned at a police station, examined at a
hospital and then counseled at yet another facility. This increases anxiety and may overwhelm
the child to a point of not being able to recollect important details or shut
down a willingness to discuss the incident.
“Having a CAC will dramatically increase the number of
convictions we have against the perpetrators,” stated Chief Myers of
the Sevierville Police Department.
Donna Koester
was named as the chair of the newly created board. “She has been the sparkplug behind
everything so far and with her energy and enthusiasm, will definitely make
things happen,” stated Barry Fain from Jefferson County. Fain
is the newly appointed treasurer and Crystal Ratcliff, a CPS supervisor from Sevier County is the secretary. Representatives from Cocke County
are Mayor Connie Ball and Jennifer Shelton and the Grainger County
reps are yet to be announced. Marion
Oates graciously accepted to serve on the board as well, with her background
in vital programs. The next step is to complete grant
applications, compile a mission statement and created an inter-agency
agreement amongst heads of communities.
“This team will elicit help from anyone and everyone in the
community to make the CAC happen,” insisted Koester. “This is all about children; the
victims who cannot protect
themselves.”
The next CAC
meeting is Sevier
County will be September 20, 2005 at 6:00pm at the courthouse. Additional meetings and locations will be
available in the other three counties in the near future.
