Children’s Advocacy Center – Wrapping Arms Around Children
One in 10 children will experience some form of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday — and only one will tell. It’s a sobering statistic.
Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas and their partners are the front-line responders to reports of child sexual abuse in Denton, Wise, and Jack Counties. The Center the all-encompassing support system that wraps around children and their families. Surrounded by investigators, prosecutors, and healing professionals in both medical and mental health fields, the Center helps families and children navigate the process of justice — working to ensure healing and safety.
Since opening in 1997, the Center is the place a family goes when they have received the devastating news that someone may have harmed their child.
Last year eight new children a day walked through the doors.
The non-profit organization works in conjunction with 67 governmental agencies, and with 80 on-site professionals all dedicated to responding to these cases. They are compassionately committed to justice for victims, while also ensuring that victims are not further harmed or re-traumatized by the systems meant to help them.
Kristen Howell, CEO of the Center for seven years, witnesses the worst of humanity — the terrible things people do in secret, the ways children are exploited. Sadly, 98% of the time, the child knows their abuser.
“This is someone who has groomed the environment to trust them and allowed them access to children in private,” Kristen said. Sometimes the child deeply loves the person who has harmed them, and they don’t want the abuser to get into trouble. Other times, they are terrified, possibly because the abuser has threatened them.
Kristen has worked in victim services for 27 years. She began her career working on a crisis hotline in college, which led her to various organizations focused on helping victims.
“We ensure that a comprehensive approach is available for a child to experience safety, justice, and healing,” Kristen said.
The weight of the secret is often heavy, as many children do not fully understand what has happened to them, especially if they are very young or were coerced into thinking they did something wrong. These children have been taken advantage of during critical stages of development and are often trapped or coerced into keeping quiet.
The Center provides free mental health services for children as they recover from abuse related trauma — sometimes symptoms can last well into adulthood if left untreated. These symptoms can manifest as self-harm, suicidal ideation, and extreme distress. Kristen wants the community to know that help is available, and that children can learn coping skills. Families can also be instrumental in curbing the long-term effects of trauma.
Providing children with information about safety and whom they can turn to is a powerful form of prevention. Jenna’s Law, named after survivor Jenna Quinn, was passed unanimously by the Texas state senate in May 2009. It was the first law in the U.S. to mandate child sexual abuse prevention and education. Jenna, a survivor who benefited from the services of the Children’s Advocacy Center, continues to advocate for education and safety. The Advocacy Center teaches school presentations to nearly 40,000 children about safety, what to expect from others, and how to make a report. Children are taught that if one adult doesn’t believe them, there is always another trusted adult who can help.
“It’s a celebration when a child walks in, has the courage to tell an adult and the authorities, and chooses not to carry the trauma for 20 or 30 years. We can stop the abuse and begin the healing process immediately,” Kristen shared.
The Children’s Advocacy Center is one of the largest child and adolescent mental health providers in the community, helping children and families involved in open investigations or criminal allegations. This is the first step before resources are provided to the family. “Sadly, 3,000 children walk through our doors every year.”
The Center receives 50% of its funding from government sources and 50% from community support. Abuse can happen in any community, and there are many dedicated professionals who step up to help. Navigating all the parties involved can be daunting, and the Center provides a neutral, safe place for families.
It typically takes two years for a case to go to trial. During that time, the Center often has a lasting relationship with the family, and the child may be in therapy for part of that period.
“We are deeply grateful to the community. The place families walk into and the people they meet here give them hope. We show them how to restore their children’s potential. They are always welcome to return in the future. This community ensures we deliver that promise,” Kristen said.
