Local resource helps abused children

* Director says child advocacy centers such as the Children's Center in Nevada play a vital role in the battle against child abuse.

When someone harms a child in Vernon County, or many of the surrounding counties for that matter, there's a place where families can turn to make the journey through the courts, and the journey back to not being afraid easier to travel.

It's the Children's Center. Located at 119 S. Main, Nevada, the Children's Center serves 11 counties -- hundreds of people in the last calendar year, Children's Center Executive Director Chad Adams said recently, in a presentation to the Nevada Rotary Club.

The center is a "child-friendly" place where medical exams and interviews can be conducted during the investigation, and where therapy and other services are offered during and after the investigation of child abuse.

Many of the case dealt with involve some form of sexual abuse, and Adams said that while the interview and examination process can still be difficult, as can the child's appearance in court, the centralized comfort of facilities like the Children's Center are a vast improvement over they system used before.

Adams said that just 15 years ago, the interviewer would be called to the hospital, or perhaps the school, where a location like a consultation room or a janitor's closet would be sought. Legal pad and pencil in hand, the interviewer would ask the child for a detailed account of what had happened to them. As illustration of how difficult this might be for a child, he turned to the crowd, asking, "Who of you would like to tell us in great detail about your last sexual experience?" A hushed pause followed and Adams explained that children are often asked to do just that -- and prior to the inception of child advocacy centers, they were asked to do so again and again. "It was a terrible way to do it."

Now, the child advocacy centers help streamline the process. In one session lasting two or three hours, a medical exam and an interview take place, beginning the process. Law enforcement and others involved with the investigation watch the interview, conducted by a trained professional, through a window.

It can take 18 months to three years for such cases to make it to court and many things can happen during that time, Adams noted; so along the way, resources are offered the children and to the parents as well. If a parent is charged in such a case, a loss of income could occur. Adams said many changes can take place; a change of residence may happen, a change of schools -- many lifestyle issues also can crop up.

Entirely funded by state and federal grants and private donations, the Children's Center does not charge families for its services, and there are many ways local residents can help the center to help children who've been harmed and need such services. One way, Adams said, is to volunteer time. Another is to donate funds. A June 4 golf tournament offers local residents the chance to have some fun and funnel some funds the center's way.

Still another way to help is to let legislators know of the importance of the child advocacy in the community.

Citizens also can help combat child abuse by reporting it. After noting that spanking a child, in a reasonable manner is legal in Missouri, Adams advised, "If you see someone doing something that 'a reasonable person' would think is abuse, call law enforcement. Call us. Or call a child abuse hotline."

In Missouri, (800) 392-3738, a child abuse hotline, is answered 24 hours a day. In Kansas, those who suspect abuse can call the Kansas Report Center at (800) 922-5330.