It's been three years since the Athens County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) opened its doors; in that short time, 359 children have received help sorting the sordid dealings of sexual abuse.
Not too long ago, children had to navigate a tedious system of child services, medical examiners, sheriffs' offices, mental health counselors, etc., having to repeatedly recount and relive the experience.
Those days for children in Athens County are over. The CAC is one example of an emerging model to consolidate services and legal processes pertaining to forms of child abuse.
Athens County has one of almost 700 CACs nationwide. The National Children's Alliance, the accrediting agency, cites benefits such as efficient medical and mental health referrals, fewer interviews for the victim, less stress for the families and expedited investigations.
The Athens County CAC received its accreditation in 2006, making it one of 15 accredited CACs in Ohio. Funded almost entirely by grants, it received additional money to move into its own office last year.
It's not as threatening as if they were going to the sheriff's office
said Erin Nash, director of the Athens County CAC, and the prosecutor's office doesn't have to start from scratch when they get a case.
Despite substantial success, the Athens County CAC is not immune to the budgetary and resource restraints many non-profit organizations face.
It's always a struggle to find sources of funding Nash said. We get a lot of foundation money and a lot of (the foundations) are experiencing troubles.
Nash added that only one doctor in Athens County, Lenard G. Presutti, is certified to give the necessary medical exam for children younger than 14.
If he can't provide an exam
the child has to go to Columbus or Chillicothe to a children's hospital to find another doctor
Nash said, adding that at the Athens County CAC office, children receive the exam free of charge, regardless of insurance.
Nash said the victims the center sees are evenly divided between ages 12 and younger, and 13 to 18. However, the center has seen an uptick in people younger than 16 - the legal age of consent in Ohio - engaging in sex.
These trends are combated with outreach programs through Athens and Nelsonville police departments concerning Internet safety and how to broach the topic of sexual abuse with children.
We see the world as a potential jury pool
so it's important to educate people. A lot of parents don't know how to talk to their kids about this stuff
Nash said. Sometimes if they're uncomfortable about it
they don't talk about it.
The Athens County CAC will be holding an open house tomorrow at its offices on 444 W. Union St., Suite B. The event will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will offer more information on the CAC.
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