The Child Center Looks to Help

When a child becomes the victim of abuse or witnesses a violent crime, their world is shaken to the core. They need to someone to care for them, to guide them through the chaos of the legal system and take care of their mental and physical health.

In St. Charles and 13 surrounding counties, that someone comes from , a child advocacy center based in . The center's services are available free of charge to all children who need them.

In addition to the Wentzville location, the center also has satellite offices in Hannibal and Memphis, MO. The Hannibal location serves Marion, Ralls, Monroe, Shelby, Lewis and Clark counties. The Memphis location, opened in late 2010, aids children in Scotland, Schuyler and Knox counties.

The Child Center offers a comprehensive, coordinated approach in response to allegations of child sexual and physical abuse. The center coordinates specially trained child forensic interviewers, law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, child and family advocates, mental health therapists and medical personnel to form a team to make decisions about investigation, treatment and prosecution of child abuse cases.

According to Ellen Teller, executive director of The Child Center, their work begins once someone reports abuse to the proper authorities.

"We are contacted after an assessment of safety is made — is the child safe to stay where they are, do they need to be pulled out of of home, does the perpetrator have access to them," Teller said. "The child is referred to us and we begin the process with a forensic interview."

A forensic interview is one conducted by a trained member of The Child Center staff. The interviewer and the child are in a small, comfortable room alone. Law enforcement and other officials sit behind a wall, watching the interview on closed-circuit television.

The child is notified that the interview is being taped.

"We only have one shot at this — we don't subject the children to several interviews," Teller said. "The interviewer is the only one with access to the child, but they will step out at some point to confer with those watching the interview."

The interviewer will speak with law enforcement, juvenile authorities, prosecutors and others after conducting the majority of the interview.

"The interviewer talks with those watching to see if there are other questions that need to be asked," Teller said. "We don't want to leave anything unanswered."

The DVD of the interview becomes a permanent record and may be viewed as often as necessary by members of the investigative team. 

Once the interview is completed, the advocacy part of The Child Center's work kicks in. Each child is assigned an advocate who will guide them through the coming weeks and months.

"The advocated will be that child's voice," Teller said. "They will explain the process and what the child and family should expect."

Teller noted that even after court proceedings are completed and the process is technically completed, advocates are always their for their clients.

"The children and their families never really leave us," Teller said. "They can always talk with someone here or come back to us with questions."

Children that have been subjected to physical or sexual abuse will also receive a forensic examination at The Child Center office. Specially trained physicians and nurse practitioners complete a SAFE (sexual assault forensic exam), which is a physical exam in order to assess the child’s overall health, to detect any evidence of physical or sexual abuse and to ensure that the child does not have a sexually transmitted disease as a result of the abuse. 

"We have a warm, friendly examination room," Teller said. "All of our equipment is state of the art and the process is explained to the children as the examination is taking place."

Volunteers also make soft blankets for the center. Children pick one out as they go into the exam. The blankets are the children's to keep after the exam is over.

Every child is offered mental health therapy provided by licensed social workers and counselors who have been specially trained in trauma-focused techniques.  Additionally, child and family advocates ensure that children’s needs are met, questions are answered and the child does not become a victim of “the criminal justice system."

The Child Center also works with the families of abuse victims.

"They are traumatized as well," Teller said.

In addition to advocacy services, The Child Center also goes out into the community to provide educational programs.

According to Teller, specialists go out into schools in the center's coverage area to teach children about safe touches and how report inappropriate behavior.

Once children get a bit older, The Child Center's education program looks at online safety and how to avoid sexual harassment both in school and on the Internet.

Child abuse prevention and protection is of vital importance in communities. 

"We all think because we don't see it everyday that it doesn't happen here," Teller said. "But the facts don't lie — one in four girls and one in six boys will face abuse by the age of 18."

Part of The Child Center's goals for 2011 is to raise awareness. 

"Child abuse is horrific and it is everywhere," Teller said. "This is a problem that takes a village — we all need to work to protect and prevent."

In the month of April, The Child Center is holding its first ever Pinwheels for Prevention campaign. April is designated the national Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Pinwheels for Prevention focuses on community activities and public policies to ensure that child abuse and neglect is eradicated in our world.

The campaign was designed in 2009 by Prevent Child Abuse America. Since then, forty states have participated and more than 1.3 million pinwheel have been distributed.

The Child Center hopes to plant 3,000 pinwheels in a community pinwheel garden on April 15.

"April 15 is 'Go Blue Day' — the entire month is to recognize child abuse but we are looking for real focus on this one day," Teller said. 

Individuals can help by purchasing pinwheels from The Child Center to be planted in the garden. Locally, the garden will be planted at CenturyLink in Wentzville. 

The pinwheels are $10 each. T-shirts with the pinwheel logo are also available for $10 at The Child Center.

There are also grand, community and partner sponsorships available for businesses and organizations to make a larger committment.

Those looking to purchase a pinwheel or aid the center in some way can call the center at 636-332-0899 or visit the center's web site at www.thechildcenter.com.