The Children’s Justice center just celebrated its 25th anniversary. There was an open house and luncheon at the Castle Dale Children’s Justice Center.
The Children’s Justice Center is an advocate for children who become victims of crime. The Center allows the children to be interviewed in a safe non-threatening environment.
Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk spoke at the event. He said he has used the Center to interview children. His first interview with a child victim was very traumatic for him. He was grateful for the presence of the advocate from the Children’s Justice Center.
There are two interview rooms and there is a media room where the cameras and recording equipment are set up. The house in Castle Dale also has a kitchen and a play area for children.
Sheriff Funk said a child can have the medical examination at the center by a medical professional. They can collect evidence and safeguard the child’s health.
The interviews are recorded and this interview is used in court. The child won’t have to be subjected to going to court and testifying against their perpetrator.
The interview takes place while the incident is fresh and the details can be drawn out by a trained interviewer.
The Children’s Justice Center combines a child focused setting with a multi-disciplinary team approach to minimize the trauma to the child victim.
Another mission of the Center is to prevent child abuse and become a resource for families who are struggling.
The Center offers hope and healing to a child traumatized by a crime against them.
After the initial interview the Center offers a wealth of support for the victim. They will help with mental health services, medical help and coordination of medical exams. They will provide emotional support for the child and the family.
The Center will monitor the child as they heal.
The Center offers education to the community to help stop and prevent child abuse.
Resources are provided in both English and Spanish.
The focus of the Center: As a community we value children and families. Despite this children are being abused by adults and other children older than them. Child abuse creates long term effects on children, family and the community. The Center focuses on the child’s need to be safe and brings several agencies together to provide better service according to the needs of the child, family and community. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect children from abuse. If you know of any child being abused or mistreated, please report the abuse to DCFS at 855-323-3237 or to the Emery County Sheriff’s Office at 381-2404.
Funding for the children’s justice center comes from state funding, federal grants, local government support, private foundation grants, community donations and volunteer programs.
The Children’s Justice Center is a more effective way to deal with child abuse. Children no longer have to go to police stations and an unfriendly environment to tell their story. This will minimize damage to the child as the case is investigated.
The Emery County Commissioners Kent Wilson, Lynn Sitterud and Paul Cowley participated in the event.
Children’s Justice Center celebrates 25th anniversary
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