Grants Support Child Safety Center
In 2009, White County had more than 800 reports of sexual and physical child abuse. Unfortunately, for these young victims, the trauma doesn’t end when they come forward. In
order to get help and provide evidence against their abusers, these children must share their
stories with police, social workers, law enforcement, services for 30-40 abused children and their families each month.
“We have a small house that the children and their guardians come to where everyone feels much more relaxed and comfortable,” Connell said. “All the agencies involved in the case come here at the same time and watch the interview from an observation room. Everyone is involved on the front end, so hopefully the child only has to tell the story once.” The center records the
interview on DVDs that can be furnished to caseworkers, attorneys and the court.
Since the center’s inception, ARCF’s White County Community Foundation local office has provided grants to provide vital equipment, including anatomically correct dolls that help
children explain what happened to them and DVD equipment for recording interviews.
In addition to forensic interviews, the center also advocates for the children and their families, referring them for counseling services and even helping them find clothing and shelter to escape dangerous domestic situations. “We follow the family through court proceedings. We prepare the family and child for court. We may take the child to see what the courtroom will look like. We become the friend of the family,” said Connell.
By working together though the Children’s Safety Center, the involved agencies are able to conduct more effective investigations, Connell explained. “When everybody involved—mental health, medical health, law enforcement—is working together as a team for the child, it’s harder for things to fall through the cracks. We’re doing better team-oriented investigations and making the child’s wellbeing a priority.”
Though the work is challenging and often heartbreaking, Connell remains motivated to keep growing and expanding the center’s services to help local children. “What gets me through the day? It’s so simple — somebody has to do it,” she said.
To learn more and support the White County Children’s Safety Center, visit www.whitecountycsc.com.