[ ♪ ] >>> WELCOME TO "FAMILY HEALTH MATTERS."

I'M SHELLEY IRWIN, WE'LL DISCUSS THE SENSITIVE TOPICLE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, WHICH MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR SOME VIEWERS.

MELISSA IS WITH ME, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE CHRISTY, AND DISCT MATT HOOKER, AND THE BEST FOR THE LAST.

THERAPY DOG JY, IMPORTANT ROLE THAT JC PLAYS.

GOOD DAY TO YOU ALL.

MELISSA, IS IT OKAY TO START WITH A DISCLAIMER.

IS IT IMPORTANT TO LET THE CHILDREN KNOW.

IT CAN BE A TOPIC OF SENSITIVITY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IF A VIEWER HAD PREVIUS EXPERIENCE, IT CAN BE TRAUMATISING.

AND TO AFTER THE C A.C.

IS A RESOURCE SHOULD SOMEONE VIEW AND WANT TO REACH OUT.

>> TELL ME HOW IT WAS INVOLVED IN A TOPIC.

>> IT WAS LEADING THE EFFORT AGAINST CHILD ACTUAL ABUSE.

WE DO THAT IN A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH.

WE UTILIZE A TEAM EFFORT TO SURROUND A CHILD AND FAMILY.

WORKERS, THERAPISTS AND FORENSICS INTERVIEWERS, TO SURROUND THE CHILD.

FIRST AND FOREMOST TO MAKE SURE THEY TELL THEIR STORY ONE TIME, IF POSSIBLE.

WE DON'T WANT THEM DRAMATISE THE THE EXPERIENCE.

AND TELL IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

SECONDSLY TO START ON THE PATH TO HEARING.

>> HOW IS THE COMMUNITY ROLE.

>> MY ROLE AT THE C A.C.

IS TO RECOGNISE RESULTS HELPING THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT TO LOOK FOR IF THEY SUSPECT SOMETHING MAY BE HAPPENING.

AND THE NEXT STEPS, AND HOW HE CAN END THE EPIDEMIC OF CHILD ABUSE.

>> HOW BUSY ARE YOU DETECTIVE.

VERY BUSY, BUSIER THAN I WOULD LIKE TO BE.

I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE.

>> WHEN ARE YOU CALLED IN.

>> FROM THE BEGINNING.

AS SOON AS A REPORT IS MADE.

WE START TO NEGOTIATE THE FOYS.

WE WORK WITH C.P.S.

INVESTIGATORS.

AND WE WORK TOGETHER TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.

TELL US ABOUT JC.

>> JC AND I ARE PART OF THE CANINE UNIT.

HER JOB IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

SHE IS ASSIGNED TO ME AND WORKS WITH ME AT THE CENTER.

WHEN THE KID AND FAMILIES COME IN SHE WORKS TO MAKE SIR VISITS AS ENJOYABLE.

HER ROLE WORK STARTS WHEN THE KIDS ARE IN THEIR THERAPY SESSIONS.

ONE ON ONE.

SHE'LL BE THERE WITH THE THERAPISTS WORKING THROUGH THE TOUGH TOPIC.

>> LET'S DO SOME NUMBERS IF YOU WOULD THAT MIGHT SHOCK US AS FAR AS HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE BEING ABUSED IN OUR AREA.

>> WE EXPECT PROBABLY OVER 15,000 KIDS IN KENT COUNTY ARE PROBABLY SUBJECT TO SOME FORM OF WE SEE ABOUT 1,000 KIDS A YEAR IN OUR CENTER, AND DAILY THREE TO FOUR NEW CASES THAT COME THROUGH THE DOORS.

IT'S SIGNIFICANT.

FOR A COMMUNITY AS ROBUST AS HOURS, DRUGGING.

I WANT TO POINT UT IT HAPPENS ACROSS DEMOGRAPHICS, IT'S IN ALL POCKETS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT IS THE AGE OF THE CHIDE.

WE ARE TALKING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.

UP TO 18.

>> CHILDREN THAT HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED.

ONE IN 10 CHILDREN WILL BE SEXUALLY ABUSED.

AND A THIRD OF THE CASES COMES THROUGH THE DOORS.

THE CAQ WILL SEE KIDS AT A 3-YEAR-OLD AGE.

>> WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE WESTERLY DIRECTION.

MOST APPARENTLY TO NOTE IT IS A CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

AND INVOLVES ANY ACT OF A CHILD OF A SEXUAL NATURE.

>> WHO WOULD BE AT RISK FOR THIS.

>> ANYONE CAN BE AT RIFT.

FROM INFANTS ALL THE WAY UP TO THEIR LATE TEAMS.

IT DOESN'T SPECIALISE FOR A CERTAIN AGE.

>> YOUR SERVICES ARE AT NO COST.

THERE'S NO CHARGE TO A CHILD OR THEIR FAMILY.

FROM THE POINT THEY ENTERED THROUGH THE DOORS.

SPEAKING WITH THE CBS WORKERS.

THROUGHOUT SUPPORT SERVICES.

WORKING WITH A FAMILY CASEWORKER.

THERE'S NO CHARGE TO ANY CHILD OR THEIR FAMILY.

>> AT WHAT POINT SHOULD THE VISIT HAPPEN.

>> ONCE THERE HAS BEEN A DISHORNAL.

GET IT REPORTED.

THAT'S WHERE THE PROCESS SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE FORENSIC INTERVIEWER.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT CBS MEANS.

THEY ARE INVESTIGATORS THAT INVESTIGATE ACTIVITY WITHIN THE HOME.

MORE TRAUMATIC EVENT.

MAKING THE PERSON LEAVE.

THEY CAN SET UP A SAFETY PLAN.

THINGS LIKE THAT IN THE HOME.

>> STARTING WITH YOU, A SIGN THAT CAN NEED HELP.

>> WE SEE TONNES OF SIGNS RANGING FROM LOWERING GRADES OR STOPPING WANTING TO BE AROUND A CERTAIN PERSON.

BUT THERE'S WAY MORE SIGNS.

THEY MAY BE ABLE TO TALK ON THAT.

>> YOU MAY SEE LOWERING GRADES.

INCREDIBLY OUTGOING TO NOT WANTING TO BE AROUND OTHER PEOPLE.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> HOW MANY OF YOUR - DO WE USE THE WORD VICTIM, WHAT IS A WORD.

>> VICTIM.

>> KNOW THEIR PERPETRATOR.

>> NO, 90% OF CHILDREN THAT WE HAVE SEEN, OF THOSE 50% ARE RELATIVES, BEAM IN THEIR HOMES.

>> WHAT DOES IT RISK.

>> IF GONE WITHOUT TREATMENT AND INTERVENTION, AND WITH CHILDREN, HAVE A HIGHER RATE FOR ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION.

DROPPING OUT OF THE SCHOOL.

HOLDING DOWN A JOB.

LOTS OF ADVERSE EFFECT.

>> DO YOU SEE SIBLINGS COME IN TOGETHER.

IT DEPENDS ON THE CASE.

IT'S POTENTIAL THAT WE WOULD INTERVIEW SIBLINGS.

THE THERAPIST WANTS TO KNOW IF THE CHILD WAS SEXUALLY ABUSED.

WE ARE SURROUNDING THE FAMILY WITH THE SERVICES.

THERE'S A TIME THAT IT IS IMPORTANT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE SEE THE SIBLINGS.

>> TELL ME, THE FIRST TIME YOU COULD POTENTIALLY SEE THE CHILD AND THE PARENT TOGETHER.

>> YES, ONCE WE RECEIVE A REPORT THROUGH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES WE WOULD TRY TO HAVE THEM O COME TO THE ADVOCACY CENTER.

THEY PROCESS IS USED TO GET THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CASE.

DURING THE APPOINT APPOINTMENT WE MEET WITH KNON AFFECTING PARENT.

ANYTHING INVOLVING CIRCUMSTANCES WE NEED TO GET TO AN ADULT.

>> OFTEN IN THE FIRST INITIAL MEETING.

USUALLY SHE WILL MEET WITH THE KIDS IN FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENT.

EVERY SO OFTEN WE'LL MEET WITH THEM.

AND ANYONE IN THERE WILL ENJOY HER PARENTS DURING THE TRIPS TO THE LOBBY.

IT COULD BE FAMILY, FRIENDS, OTHER PEOPLE.

>> AND MISTY, THE DETECTIVES WORK WITH THE C.P.S.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> YES, WE ARE PART OF A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM, WE HOUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND C.P.S.

THREE CRP DETECTIVES AND FIVE C.P.S.

WORKERS ON SITE.

WHO IS A VICTIM ADVOCATE.

THEY ARE WALKING ALONGSIDE.

SHE'LL MEET WITH PARENTS PREINTERVIEW AND HOPE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND CONNECT THEM TO CASEWORKERS, AND WRAPAROUND SERVICES.

VERY IMPORTANTLY.

OUR VICTIM ADVOCATE WILL ACCOMPANY THEM IF THE CASE IS TRIED.

WE'LL WALK THE CHILD AND FAMILY.

LITERALLY GOING TO COURT WITH THEM.

HELPING THE CHILD UNDERSTAND HOW THE COURTROOM IS LAID OUT.

WHAT THEY CAN EXPECT IF THEY WANT TO TESTIFY.

>> HOW ARE YOU COPYING YOUR VICTIMS SAFE?

>> SO YOU KNOW, THAT IS PROBABLY THE PRIORITY NO.1.

ONCE WE FIND OUT ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF SEX ABUSE OCCURRING, WE CAN KEEP THEM FORWARD.

C.P.S.

IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAT.

AND WE'LL DO WHAT IS TAKES.

IS IT PART OF YOUR ROLE AS A DETECTIVE TO INVESTIGATE TO MAKE AN ARREST.

>> THAT IS MY FOCUS, THAT CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DO ALL THE THINGS THAT I CAN, FLECTING EVIDENCE -- COLLECTING EVIDENCE.

TALKING TO WITNESSES, VICTIMS, THERE'S ONE VICTIM.

MULTIPLE THINGS.

BUILDING ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS.

>> AGAIN, WITH YOUR GOOD CENTER IN WEST MICHIGAN, THEY ARE ABLE TO KEEP THE CONFIDENTIALITY.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT ENTRANCES AND EXITS.

>> ABSOLUTELY WE DON'T ALLOY ANY DEFENDERS TO COME ON SITE.

WE HAVE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS COLLOCATED WITH US, IT'S AN ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF SECURITY.

>> STEWARDS OF CHILDREN.

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT.

>> IT'S A TWO HOUR EVIDENCE BASED TRAINING FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT OUT OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND IT'S HOW WE CAN TEACH ADULTS THE FIVE STEPS TO TEACHING CHILDREN.

WE'LL LEARN TO PROESENT AND REACT.

IS THERE OBVIOUSLY MOVING TO PRESENTING I AM NOT WHITE -- PREVENTION.

ARE WE THERE YET.

>> THAT'S THE OTHER CRITICAL ARM OF WHAT WE.

WE HAVE A PROGRAMME CALLED "KIDS HAVE RIGHTS" RUN OUT OF OUR CENTER.

WE UTILIZE THREE EDUCATORS THAT GO TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND TEACH BODY SAFE.

WE VERY 20,000.

RESPECT WE UNIQUE TO HAVE A THERAPY JOB.

>> YES, THERE IS A ROLL SHE CAN PLAY, IT'S IRONIC SHE'S ASSIGNED TO THE PEOPLE THAT USE THE PROGRAMME.

THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND MYSELF ARE PLEASED TO PROVIDE THAT.

>> BOTH OF YOU TAKE OFF YOUR BADGE BEFORE BED.

>> SHE HAS HER OWN BADGE.

THE KIDS LOVE IT.

SHE PUTS IT ON WHEN SHE MEETS WITH THE KID.

SO THEY CAN SHE SHE'S A REAL LIFE POLICE CANINE.

>> BACK TO ONGOING TREATMENT.

IS THERE COUNSELLING AVAILABLE THROUGH THE CENTER.

>> ABSOLUTELY SO.

WE CAN SEE KIDS FROM 3-18.

ONCE THEY HAVE FSHED.

IF PARENTS SEE BEHAVIOURS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO BOOK BACK.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO SAY KNOW.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THAT THEY MAY NET THE THE DOOR IS WOP UNTIL THEY TURN 18.

>> WITH THE FREE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK TO THE CENTER.

HOW WERE YOU FOUNDED.

60% COMES FROM A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COLD VICTIMS OF CRIMINAL ASSAULT.

THE FOUNDING PROGRAM -- FUNDING PROGRAMME MONEY FROM CRIMES.

AND IT GOES INTO A POT TO FUND TREATMENT PROGRAMS LIKE HOURS.

THE EAST OF THE FUNDING IS THROUGH PRIVATE DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING.

>> THERE'S A COUPLE OF FACEBOOK QUESTIONS.

WHEN THERE ARE NO OUTWARD PHYSICAL SIGNS OR QUEUES - ARE THERE OTHER QUEUES PARENTS SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TOX.

>> PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS ARE UNCOMMON.

IT'S A LOT OF EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOUR.

IT COULD BE THAT TOO PERFECT BEFORE.

FEAR, ANXIETY YOU SEE A CHILD THAT WAS OUT GOING AND NOT SO YOUNG.

MAY BE FEARFUL OF SOMEONE THAT THEY USED TO ENJOY BEING AROUND.

THEY ARE THINGS TO LOOK FOR AS OPPOSED TO PHYSICAL SIGNS.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT.

ALL THE THINGS YOUR KID USED TO DO.

THEY DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE PLAYGROUND.

IF A KID TELLS YOU SOMETHING HAPPENED.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND WE NEED TO DO AN INVESTIGATION.

>> WASN'T THAT MYTH OR MOST OF THE CASES WHEN A CHILD ASKS FOR HEALTH... >> LESS THAN 8% ARE FABRICATED.

>> DO PARENTS HAVE GUILT IF THERE'S A FAMILY MEMBER THAT IS THE PERPETRATOR.

>> IT'S COMPLEX.

AND SOMEONE LIVING IN THEIR OWN HOME.

IT CAN MEAN THAT THE PERSON WHO IS THE OFFENDER IS THE BREADWINNER.

THERE'S A LOT OF LAYERS, AND FOR THE NON-OFFENDING PERSON, THE SHAME OF MISSING SIGNS OF AN ABUSE, NOT BEING AWARE OF IT OR CHOOSING TO PROTECT THE OFFENDER OVER THE CHILD.

>> I IMAGINE THERE MAY BE TITLES WHERE YOU HAVE TO INTERVIEW THE SIB BLING, AND THE STRESS OF THAT ENVIRONMENT AS A SKILL LEVEL THAT YOU HAVE.

>> WE DO ALL KINDS OF INTERVIEWS.

WE WANT TO DO THE VICTIM INTERVIEWS AT THE CENTER.

WE PUSH FOR THAT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

SOMETIMES WE CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE OF THE SPECIFICS OF IT.

THE SCENARIO DICTATES THAT WE ACT TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> WE DO AS MATCH AS WE CAN TO PUT THEM IN A COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT.

>> HOW IS JC MOVING.

>> WE'LL MOVE INTO PREVENTION AND HOW THE COMMUNITY HELPS.

I KNOW HAVING A POINT OF VIEW SUMMIT IN OUR AREA.

WOULD YOU SHARE.

>> A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WE HELD THE SUMMIT TO STOP CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.

IT WAS TARGETED TO LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY ACROSS SECTORS.

SPACE LEADERS.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

BUSINESS LEADERS.

WE WANTED LEADERS.

WE WANTED PEOPLE TO AFFECT CHANGE TO HELP PROTECT KIDS, AND WE GATHERED EVERYWHERE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS AND BREK OUT SESSIONS, AND WANTED TO GIVE THE LEADERS TOOLS THAT THEY COULD TAKE AWAY.

WHETHER IT'S RESOURCES OR SUGGESTIONS FOR POLICIES THAT WILL PROTECT THEM IN THE COURSE OF THEIR BUSINESS, OR SERVING ORGANISATIONS.

THINGS THEY COULD DO TO MAKE SURE KIDS ARE NOT VULNERABLE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT PREVENTIONS, YOU MENTIONED FIVE STEPS, CAN YOU SHARE.

>> FIRST IS TO LEARN THE FACTS, WE GO THROUGH THE DARKNESS LIGHT.

HOW TO MINIMISE OPPORTUNITY.

IN A SCHOOL, A LIBRARY, THERE'S A HIDDEN CORNER.

THE NEXT IS TALKING ABOUT IT.

HOW TO MAKE IT LESS DEBUT.

>> RECOGNISING SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.

AND HOW TO REACT.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND,AND WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT.

>> AND BACK TO YOUR REQUEST, I TRUST, TO REACH OUT A.S.A.P.

>> ABSOLUTELY, IF YOU SUSPECT SOMETHING OR IF A CHILD HAS SAID SOMETHING IS HAPPENING GET IN CONTACT WITH CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES OR YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

WE ARE ALWAYS THERE TO RESPOND AND HELP, SO DON'T WAIT TILL MONDAY.

DO YOUR OWN INVESTIGATION, CALL US AND LET US DO THAT WORK >>> SAFETY FIRST.

>> YES TELL ME THE FUTURE JCS.

SHE EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS WHEN WE GOT HER.

THE KIDS WARNED UP.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY SIDES ARE SQUARED AND GO BACK, THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPRESS.

YOU CAB LET THEM GO RIGHT IN.

SHE HAS MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE LIGHT OF BOTH KIDS DOWN THERE.

>> THERE'S A WALK.

>> WE DO A MONTHLY TOUR OPEN TO ANYONE.

WE DO PROVIDE LUNCH, IT'S A TORE OF OUR FACILITY, WHERE WE REQUIRE COMB TO COME AND LEARN, A THE MANY WAYS THAT WE RESPOND TO KID.

>> WHAT DO I GET FROM YOUR CALL TO PERFORM THIS WORK.

>> IT'S A TOUGH ONE.

I LOVE WHAT I DO.

TO GO OUT AND TALK TO PEOPLE.

I WANT PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

I WANT THEM TO BE COMFORTABLE TALKING ABOUT IT.

IT IS HAPPENING.

99% OF KIDS KNOW THEIR OFFENDER.

STATISTICALLY WE SEE SO FEW OF THESE KIDS.

I WANT PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL EDUCATE OURSELVES ON TO ERADICATE IT.

>> I KNOW YOUR DAUGHTERS HAVE BEEN OPEN SINCE 1993.

THE GOAL IS TO PUT YOU OUT OF BUSINESS.

SADLY IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> WE HAVE WORK TO DO.

>> HOW CAN THE COMMUNITY HELP.

>> IN A MULTIPLE WAYS, ON ONE OF THE BAULK IN HER SHE IS TOUR.

THEY NEED TO CONTACT.

THEY CAP CONTACT MISTY ABOUT SCHEDULING A DARKNESS TO RIGHT.

WE HAVE A ROBUST PROGRAMME WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO GET FNCHED.

-- ENJOYED.

AND WE RELY ON PUBLIC FUNDING, MAKING A FAG CONTRIBUTION.

IT COSTS ABOUT 1200 A CHILD TO PROVIDE THERAPY AND THE INTERVIEW AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

>> WEST WEBSITE.