In 2018, the Child Protection Center (CPC), a nationally accredited child advocacy center, served 806 victims of child abuse. Of those, 691 were from Jackson County. 

Today, evidence-based research continues to establish a strong link between victims of child abuse and the potential for future juvenile delinquency and criminal activities; substance use disorders;  and adult criminal behavior (often violent)—and also a link between child abuse and substance abuse in the home. 

The Child Protection Center’s Program addresses these links by providing forensic interviews, family advocacy and mental health services for child abuse victims ages 3-17 who have been sexually or physically abused or who have witnessed a homicide or extreme violence. Services are also available to their non-offending caregivers. 

The CPC’s forensic interviews protect children by providing early identification of abuse. The forensic interview serves as the child's statement and can be used as evidence in civil or legal cases. 

The CPC also provides family advocacy for non-offending caregivers. This includes education about navigating the legal system and referrals for medical, mental health and social services. Identification of substance abuse can occur in both the forensic interview and family advocacy meetings. 

During the forensic interview a child sometimes discloses not only substance abuse in the home by the adults, but may also disclose that he or she uses drugs and/or alcohol. 

Because victims of child abuse often come from homes where there are multiple family stressors, the CPC developed a Family Questionnaire that is given to all caregivers. This tool is used to identify indicators of family stress, including substance abuse, domestic violence and other issues. If this is indicated, the Family Advocate works with the caregivers to help them understand that, because of the abuse, their child is at increased risk for future substance abuse and criminal activity, including violent crime. If either the child or caregiver (or both) disclose that there is substance abuse in the home, the Family Advocate provides referrals to substance abuse treatment programs. Treatment for substance abuse, either by the child or caregiver, is critical so that children can recover from abusing substances and caregivers can recover from their addiction and better protect their children from future abuse. 

The Family Advocate also identifies the value of mental health services that can help a child develop coping mechanisms to deal with the effects of the abuse now instead of turning to drugs, alcohol or criminal activity, including violent crime, later in life. Through its short- and long-term therapeutic modalities, the CPC’s mental health services create a safe space for families to identify effective, individualized coping skills to reduce trauma-related symptomology. Children and families also practice healthy communication styles, which increase family unity and support the child’s healing process.

The addition of a Training Specialist to conduct MDT and community trainings, while creating/researching and implementing a physical abuse prevention program, will not only improve community awareness of child abuse and child safety, it also will help to begin to prevent future violence against Jackson County children.

COMBAT Funding: $102,000.00