After a child is abused, reliving the event every time the story is retold can be additionally traumatizing.
At Utah County’s Children’s Justice Center, child victims need only tell their story one time in a comfortable, homelike atmosphere to people who are specially trained to ask difficult questions to young people. To make the experience even more nonthreatening and comfortable, volunteers help children at the center to feel safe. More volunteers are needed in continuance of this work.
Last year, 1,300 children were served at the Children’s Justice Centers in American Fork and Provo. Typically, around 1,000 interviews are conducted at the centers each year. Medical exams, when needed, are also done at the center.
Following the disclosure of abuse, typically sexual abuse, an investigation will open up. Investigators, law enforcement and child protective services representatives will coordinate and have a child come into the Children’s Justice Center to be interviewed by child forensic interviewers about the traumatic events. These interviews are recorded so that the child only has to tell the story one time.
The Children’s Justice Center provides a comfortable, child-friendly environment. In fact, upon entering, children do not see a reception desk that is usually seen in an office. Rather, they step into a living room. There, they are met by their volunteer.
According to Heather Allen, Children’s Justice Center associate director, the onsite volunteers actually sit with children when they come in to be interviewed. “Typically, the child and caregiver come in. The caregiver is pulled in to meet with investigators and staff. Rather than leave the child alone — they are nervous about the topics to be discussed and about what they are going to do — and to keep them safe, we have volunteers who play with them, talk to them,” she said. “That volunteer also stays with the child after the interview, helps them get reregulated, gives a snack and just helps them to feel safe and cared for.”
While the child is in a different room being interviewed, the volunteer waits. Allen said that this is a great volunteer opportunity for someone who might want to bring a book with them or homework with them to do during the interview. Sometimes, there are siblings who come along. During that time that the child is in the interview, the volunteer might assist with the siblings as well.
“Sometimes we have kids that come in and maybe they don’t feel like talking or playing. We tell our volunteers that even if they’re not engaging, that does not mean it’s not important,” Allen said. “The volunteer helps create the welcome environment and is often the first person the child sees at the center. They make sure that child knows that someone is there if they need them and they don’t have to sit alone before and after the interview.”
Children and parents can give feedback to the center after their experiences and the feedback about the volunteers is very positive, according to Allen. “So many of the messages are about how great the volunteer was and how great they made them feel,” she said.
Onsite volunteers must be at least 21 years old, be able to pass a background check and be able to volunteer for two hours each week. They will be trained before beginning their work. For more information, check out the center’s website at UtahCounty.gov. Information can also be found at Utah County Children’s Justice Center on Facebook.
“Having this service allows children to move forward in their healing process a lot quicker than if they had to tell their story multiple times,” Allen said. “They’re able to leave the center, knowing that they have told their story and have been heard and knowing that the investigators have the information that they need."
