Advocacy Center haven for abused kids
HERRIN - When a child is sexually abused in Williamson and Franklin counties, the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center in Herrin is usually second in line to process the reported abuse.
"When a report of either sexual abuse or severe physical abuse is made to either the Department of Child and Family Services or to law enforcement, we're then typically the second phone call," said Leah Brown, executive director.
"We're not an investigative agent, per se, but we work as part of a multi disciplinary team to coordinate that investigation. Once then that child and our family come to our attention they would come here for a forensic interview for the child to tell their abuse story."
Brown said while she conducts the forensic interview with the child - which is videotaped in a child-friendly room - investigators are watching the interview simultaneously in another room.
"The goal is that the child is interviewed just one time. In the old days, it used to be the child would have to be interviewed by DCFS, law enforcement and the hospital. Everyone who needed the information did their own interview. It was very taxing and traumatic for the children to keep telling their stories."
Brown, who has two children of her own, admitted some times it's difficult to leave her work at the office at 501 S. 14th St.
"It is challenging and I try to focus on the child rather than what happened to them … at the end of the day I try to look at the child whose been through something unfortunate and is moving forward. Our job then is to focus on the healing, rather than the hurt."
Funding is provided through DCFS grants, the Criminal Justice Information Authority, United Way, the Poshard Foundation and Williamson County Commissioners. No funding is received through Franklin County.
Officials learned on July 1 their funding from the state (DCFS) would be reduced 10 percent.
"We are considered an essential service so there's a little bit of security in that. We've been told to keep providing those services but at 10 percent less. We're hoping the cut is not quite as deep," Brown said.
On the average, the facility intervenes in about 200 cases per year in both counties.
"It is evenly split these days, maybe a little heavier Williamson County, but Franklin County is right up there. It used to be skewed the other way since Williamson County is a bigger county had a higher population of cases but not anymore," said Brown. Most child advocacy centers in Southern Illinois cover multiple counties. At one time, the Herrin facility also facilitated children in Jackson, Massac and Johnson counties.
Brown said former Williamson County State's Attorney Chuck Garnati was instrumental in getting the facility established in 1992. The establishment of the center was prompted by the Children's Advocacy Center Act of Illinois that was signed into law in 1989. This act developed a written protocol designed to coordinate in the investigation, potential prosecution and treatment of children who have been reported as being sexually abused.
Over the years the CAC movement began to grow and more centers opened in the area. This allowed the Williamson County facility to concentrate its services to Williamson and Franklin counties.
Services are available to any child under the age of 18 who resides in either county and who reports being sexually or severely physically abused.
Referrals for services are obtained from law enforcement, DCFS and state's attorney offices.
The CAC is led by an executive board made up of community members who have a vested interest in the cause. The current officers are: Joe Moore, chairman; John Markley, treasurer; and John Gulley, secretary. Markley and Gulley reside in Franklin County. Board members are: Doug Brandon, Tom Cundiff, Ralph Graham, Deb Payne, Kathy Schimpt, Susan Rude, Bennie Vick and Brandon Zanotti.