Services provided by the Children's Justice Center
Traditionally, investigation of child sexual abuse required multiple
interviews of the child victim by police, social services, medical personnel,
psychologists and attorneys. Each interview occurred at a different place
and rarely in a setting that was familiar or comfortable for the child.
The Children's Justice Center is a place for the child with a home-like
environment, where the necessary interviews can occur in an atmosphere
that is non-threatening to the child.
A comprehensive interview that addresses the concerns of all the agencies
investigating the case will be conducted by one team member. This team
member, the clinical coordinator and the victim/witness assistant are
the consistent contacts between the child and the Center. The focus and
function of the CJC is to reduce the trauma of the child abuse investigation
and help the child feel safe to reveal the truth. Additionally, the center
provides emotional support for the child and non-offending family members,
as well as referrals to treatment and other needed community resources.
The Children's Justice Center provides or coordinates:
- Investigation of child sexual abuse and serious
physical abuse by trained professional law enforcement personnel and
CPS social workers, including comprehensive child interview process
(video and audio taped) and multidisciplinary staffing and tracking
of the case.
- Medical forensic exams for child abuse victims,
in consultation with Primary Children's Medical Center Child Protection
Team, provided at the center.
- Mental health assessment and referrals to community
providers for the child and family. (Funding is available for treatment
of victims and family members who are without other resources.)
- Child victim treatment program - Group therapy for
children.
- Victim/Witness support services.
- Crisis intervention and emotional support for child
and family.
- Tracking and monitoring of case progress through
the criminal justice system.
- Community education/Presentations.
- Support/Education for non-offending parents.
- Professional training on child abuse issues.
- Child Advocate Program to provide emotional support
for the child and family.
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