Physical and sexual abuse cases involving a children can be overwhelming when the process involves the hospital, police and social service agencies.
Enter the Howard County Child Advocacy Center.
“Everything can happen under one roof in an environment that is intended to foster a sense of safety,” said police department spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn.
The center, also called the Listening Place, celebrates its 15th anniversary today.
The center provides on-site medical exams, interviews and social service referrals to victims of child abuse and their families, Llewellyn said.
Housed in a converted residence, the center has mural-painted walls, toys and child-sized furniture, all to put the young victims at ease.
Since the center opened, the number of victims served has grown exponentially. In 2005 alone, the center served 532 people, including victims and their siblings who also are affected, she said.
“Howard County does an almost miraculous job handling these cases,” said Howard County States Attorney Tim McCrone, chairman of the center?s executive committee. “Because of the collaborative effort that is put forth, we have a tremendous track record of successfully prosecuting these cases.”
Howard?s center is unique in this level of collaboration, said Jeannie Meece, executive director of the Sexual Trauma Treatment Advocacy and Recovery Center Inc., a partner with the Child Advocacy Center.
“There?s a really strong feeling of working together,” she said.
While celebrating the last 15 years, officials also look to the future, seeing the center?s inevitable growth.
“Right now the facility is busting at the seams,” McCrone said. “It is inevitable that we are going to need to significantly expand the physical plant.”
However, the challenge is balancing growth with maintaining the intimate, comfortable environment, he said.
