LITTLE FLOCK — An expansion offers more room to play at the Children’s Advocacy Center, where calls for service are on the rise.
The center staff interviews children who may have been physically or sexually abused and provides advocacy services for them. A 600-square-foot expansion completed in June gave the center two play therapy rooms, one double the size of what they had, said Megan Taylor, mental health coordinator.
The center has more mental health professionals now than ever, Taylor said. Counseling hours are approaching 1,100 this year, the same as last year’s total.
Offices were shuffled around after the expansion and the division of a kitchen area into a smaller breakroom and two offices. Before the changes, space dictated schedules even if counselors were available, Taylor said.
“We didn't have a place to put them,” she said.
The center saw a total of 627 children last year. This year they have already seen 620 children.
Every child is offered free counseling, said Erin Kraner, child advocate and forensic interviewer at the center. More money has expanded the number of counselor hours and reduced the wait list.
“The need has always been there,” Kraner said.
She estimates the center will see more than 900 children this year.
Talking about abuse can be hard for an 8- or 9-year-old victim, the average age for children visiting the center. Play therapy can help them relax.
“It's the wait list for us that stays the longest,” Kraner said of therapy services.
The budget for the center was increased $100,000 this year to cover additional staff, said Beverly Engle, executive director. The center is paid for through a combination of grants, fundraising events and donations. A $30,000 private donation paid for the expansion.
Children are referred to the center through law enforcement. Advocates interview children and work with investigators. Many of the cases involve sexual abuse.
Abuse does not have to define a child for a lifetime, Taylor said. Through counseling, children learn they are not alone in their experience and they learn to overcome the anxiety that often accompanies their experiences.
The number of cases involving child abuse have increased in the last few years, said Benton County Sheriff Keith Ferguson. He points to child pornography available online and sex offenders moving in from out of area and not registering as possible causes for rising numbers.
“They're here and we don't know they're here until we catch them,” Ferguson said.
Advocates at the Benton County center say there is an increase in reported crimes, and cases such as the Jerry Sandusky trial increase awareness of abuse.
The Children’s Safety Center in Washington County saw 84 clients in July, which is up from last year, said Elizabeth Shackelford, executive director. The center’s staff saw 735 children in 2010, but that number dropped to 545 last year. This year the center is on pace to exceed numbers from last year. They have already seen more than 400 children.
“We can't pinpoint why the numbers go up and then go back down,” Shackelford said.
Measuring abuse is nearly impossible, said Van Stone, Benton County prosecuting attorney. Until a crime is reported, no one knows it exists, Stone said. He sees the increase in cases as a positive.
“You want the system in place so that they feel comfortable reporting,” Stone said.
Benton County has a prosecutor dedicated to handling child sex abuse cases and five of the 17 county prosecutors have the training and background to work cases, Stone said. Every interview at the center that involves a Benton County incident is reviewed and charges are filed based on the nature of the case and available evidence.
By The Numbers
Child Abuse Hotline
Calls to the Arkansas State Police child abuse hotline are up overall, as are those accepted for investigation. Calls are accepted for investigation when the reported child abuse or neglect meets legal definitions and if the family or child can be located for an investigation. Investigations begin within 72 hours from the time a call is placed.
The child abuse hotline is: 800-482-5964.
Calls Accepted For Investigation
2011 2012
January 2,923 3,366
February 2,722 3,367
March 3,336 3,462
April 3,351 3,471
May 3,098 3,480
June 2,671 2,725
July 2,702 2,834
August 3,175 3,234
Source: Arkansas State Police
At A Glance
Bicycles, Blues & BBQ
The Children’s Advocacy Center is hosting an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The center staff will offer tours, free barbecue, live music and will raffle 25 children’s bicycles.
Source: Staff Report