Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center

    In the last twelve (12) months ending June 20th, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services has recorded 5334 reports of alleged child abuse, including sexual and severe physical abuse or neglect cases, in the 4^th Judicial District of Tennessee, the counties of Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier.  A breakdown by county of these specific referrals indicates 2,088 in Sevier County, 1,561 in Jefferson County, 1,118 in Cocke County and 567 in Grainger County.  In many of these situations, the children have been victimized, are already frightened, and end up being interviewed multiple times in office settings that do nothing to make the situation any less traumatic for them to repeatedly recount horrific incidents.  Ultimately, the very system intended to serve them ends up making them feel victimized, yet again.  But, there is hope!

    A group of concerned citizens representing the various parts of the 4^th Judicial District will be holding an informational meeting on July 14^th at 6:00pm at the Dandridge Ruritan Park on Hwy. 92 in Jefferson County, to continue their work of establishing a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in the 4^th Judicial District, similar to those found in other judicial districts throughout the State of Tennessee.  An initial interest meeting in Sevier County on June 22^nd resulted in a turnout of roughly 80 interested childcare professionals, juvenile court officials, law enforcement administrators, concerned business professionals and other citizens.  According to the Tennessee Children’s Advocacy Center, which provides oversight for all of Tennessee’s associated advocacy centers, it was the largest turnout for an initial interest meeting ever in Tennessee. 

    Under one roof, a children’s advocacy center in the 4^th Judicial District would provide a central hub for all aspects of serving children victimized by sexual and/or severe physical abuse or neglect.  In this one location would be:  1.) Crisis intervention and counseling, including group therapy and child-friendly interview rooms; 2.) Forensic medical exams through contract with trained medical professionals; 3.) Child Protective Investigative team, as required by state law, working together to provide services to children and their families; 4.) Education and training coordination, including programs for area professionals to learn about child abuse, the teaching of personal safety and awareness in area schools, and community programs given to churches and civic organizations; 5.) Court support group, helping children and their families who may have to go to court and testify; Advocacy program to support the non-offending family members so they can protect the child-victim; 6.) Transportation, mostly for victims and their families who need medical services, counseling and/or group therapy. 

    Investigators that have worked through a children’s advocacy center in other areas report a significant increase in their rate of convictions, directly attributed to the CAC concept, while reducing further trauma to the child-victim in the process of the investigative and prosecutorial processes.  And, when it is a child that has been victimized, it’s all about protecting the children, from offenders and the system intended to protect them.

    The first steps in the process of establishing one of these much needed child advocacy centers is educating the public, acquiring the tax-exempt status as a non-profit, and securing financial and in-kind support from the community.  Please make plans to attend this important meeting on July 14^th from 6:00-8:00pm.  Please RSVP with Barry Fain either by calling (865) 397-1898 or e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

For more information on children’s advocacy centers, please visit the Tennessee Chapter of Children’s Advocacy Centers at www.tncac.org.

©The Five Rivers Herald 2005

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