Advocacy center to focus on child’s needs in abuse cases

Adam Huening

Fri, May 16 2008

— For victims of child abuse, the nightmare doesn’t always end when the act is over. When those dedicated to protect them step in, often the child is forced to relive the horrific situation over and over as the case makes it’s way through the system.
Traci Eggleston, director of Decatur and Ripley counties Department of Child Services (DCS), wants the cycle of violence and the subsequent reoccuring tramuatization to stop. Through the efforts of regional DCS and a number of agencies, Eggleston said they are developing a solution to the problem - a regionalized diagnostic and advocacy center aimed at protecting the child by only hearing the story once.
“Often times, a child comes in for an interview. The family is not comfortable, they’re nervous, upset. Then the child has to relive the situation a number of times through interviews. There is the DCS, then law enforcement, then we have to involve the prosectors. They all need to hear the story but the effect on the child can be just as damaging,” she said.
The idea behind the center was developed in the late 1980s by a group of advocates and social workers in MIssouri. The Indiana version, based in Dearborn County with outreach centers in Jefferson and Decatur counties, would be child-focused. Everything from the interior and exterior designs to services offered would be driven to make children as comfortable as possible. One person, a trained forensic interviewer, would be in the room with the child instead of a revolving table full of intimidating adults, Eggleston said. The goal of the interviewer is to get the complete story, once, and get it right. The interview room would be hardwired with video and and audio recording equipment, which would be fed to another room where law enforcement, DCS, parents, medical personnel and prosecutors can listen in and make notes.
Using this process, Eggleston said, it cuts down on the negative effects to the child, but also has a number of other bonuses. With everyone present, an immediate plan of action can be developed, rather than weeks of phone calls passing through the various agencies.
“The idea is bring these multi-disciplines together to reduce the tramuatization to the child while meeting everyone’s needs,” she said. “The end of result, it’s not only child driven, it also cuts down on fiscal responsiblities. It reduces man hours and pools resources.”
When she first heard the idea, Eggleston said she felt nothing was more important than seeing it implemented.
“For us to be able to colloaborate that information and protect the child immediately is remarkable,” she said.
The idea, she noted, is being implemented and will be a reality by Jan. 1. The DCS is already looking to purchase property in Dearborn County and scouting locations in the others. However, she noted this was not going to be something that can be done overnight.
“It’s going to take more than just us to do this and sustain it,” she said.
Currently, the DCS is looking for donations to help the center run. Paper ribbons, donated by the Greensburg Daily News, are being sold in conjunction with Child Abuse Awareness month, which is this month, but money is not all they need. Eggleston said they need carpenters, contractors, plumbers, interior designers and all kinds of people from all walks of life to pitch in and help.
“There’s just so many things someone can do,” she said.
To help, people may purchase ribbons from Main Design, GNC, AT&T, YMCA, Game Plan and Hair Factory or they can offer services in other ways to Eggleston at (812) 663-6768.

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