CHILDSAFE

FORENSIC INTERVIEWS AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES - ONCE REFERRED FOR A FORENSIC INTERVIEW, THE CHILD IS REGISTERED IN OUR CLIENT SERVICES PROGRAM AND THE FAMILY IS ASSIGNED A FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST (FSS) WHO WORKS WITH THAT FAMILY FROM THE MOMENT THEY ENTER OUR DOORS UNTIL THE CHILD TURNS 18 YEARS OF AGE OR IS NO LONGER IN NEED OF OUR SERVICES. THE FSS ASSISTS WITH: ENSURING THE CHILD AND FAMILY UNDERSTAND THE FORENSIC INTERVIEW PROCESS AND WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CHILD MAKES A POSITIVE OUTCRY OF ABUSE; REDUCING FAMILY ANXIETY ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION FOLLOWING THE INITIAL VISIT BY EXPLAINING THE LEGAL AND CIVIL INVESTIGATIONS PROCESS; ASSISTING THE FAMILY WITH IDENTIFYING THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND ENSURING THE FAMILY IS LINKED/HAS ACCESS TO SUPPORT; ENSURING ALL THE CHILD'S NEEDS ARE MET BY REFERRING THEM FOR COUNSELING SERVICES, VICTIMS ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, AND ANY OTHER SERVICES NEEDED; AND PROVIDE CRISIS COUNSELING TO ASSIST THE FAMILY.

COUNSELING SERVICES-CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND THEIR NON-OFFENDING FAMILY MEMBERS RECOVERING FROM THE EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE ARE TRAUMATIZED LONG AFTER THE ABUSE HAS ENDED. THEIR VICTIMS KNOW MORE THAN 97% OF THE ALLEGED PERPETRATORS INVOLVED IN CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATION, AND OFTEN THE ABUSER IS SOMEONE THE CHILD OR FAMILY MEMBERS CARE ABOUT OR TRUST. AS A RESULT, CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS STRUGGLE TO ESTABLISH TRUST, RESPECT, CONFIDENCE AND A SENSE OF SECURITY AND CONTROL IN THEIR LIVES, AND FAMILIES ARE OFTEN TORN APART. CHILDSAFE PROVIDES A CONTINUUM OF CARE TO CHILD VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND THEIR SUPPORTIVE FAMILY MEMBERS THROUGH COUNSELING SERVICES. THIS CRISIS AND LONG-TERM THERAPY IS AVAILABLE TO THE CHILD VICTIMS, THEIR SIBLINGS, AND ALL SUPPORTIVE FAMILY MEMBERS TO HELP WITH HEALING. COUNSELING MAY ALSO INCLUDE PLAY THERAPY OR ADVENTURE THERAPY AND IS PROVIDED BY COUNSELORS TRAINED IN TRAUMA TREATMENT. THE CHILDREN WE WORK WITH COME TO US WITH LOW SELF-ESTEEM, FEELING ISOLATED AND DIFFERENT FROM OTHER CHILDREN. COUNSELING SERVICES ALLOW US TO PROVIDE THE NEEDED TREATMENT AND SUPPORT TO ENSURE THE HEALING PROCESS CAN OCCUR.