Maryland?s first one-stop center for victims of sexual, physical and domestic abuse recently opened two blocks from the Bel Air Courthouse, according to Harford County State?s Attorney Joseph Cassilly.
The Family Justice Center, at 23 Main St., brings counselors, prosecutors and law enforcement together under one roof to combat types of abuse that are often interrelated, Cassilly said.
“It?s a lot of logistical things that will comfort victims” so they don?t have to go different places for different issues, he said. “It?s something I?ve been hoping and trying to do for 15 to 20 years.”
The Child Advocacy Center, which handles child sexual abuse, began in 1993, but there was never enough space to pull people from different areas together, Cassilly said.
There were 350 child sexual abuse cases in Harford County last year, according to Sgt. David Betz, the coordinator of the Child Advocacy Center, which has been incorporated into the new Family Justice Center.
“A lot of our cases overlap [with domestic abuse cases], and instead of searching for someone to help, they?re right down the hall now,” Betz said.
Child abuse is rampant in Harford County and domestic violence is on the rise nationally, said Ann Helton, a county executive candidate who has worked as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for 11 years. CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge to investigate and speak on behalf of what would be in the best interest of children from homes with domestic violence and other problems.
Helton said these problems have no socioeconomic boundaries, but alcohol and drug abuse is common.
“A lot of marriages stay together because they do come in and get counseling or go on probation,” Cassilly said. “Not only is counseling one of your options, but jail is one of your options. And jail is a pretty good motivator.”
The center is open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, with help on call for emergencies at night and on weekends. The phone number is 410-638-3113.
