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More than 100 forensic interviews have been conducted by staff of the Escambia Regional Child Advocacy Center in the last year — 121 to be exact.
The aim of the CAC is to reduce the number of interviews in the area by bringing awareness to the number of children abused in our area. The month of April has been designated as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness month across the area and the CAC staff is doing their part in education.
Stephanie Myrick, executive director and forensic interview specialist with the Escambia County Regional Child Advocacy Center, said the work being done throughout the county will help children understand safety for themselves.
“Throughout the month of April, the CAC staff is promoting Child Abuse Prevention for Blue Ribbon Month by presenting to all third grade students within the city and county school systems,” Myrick said. “Each third grade student is also being presented with an educational coloring and activity book focused on body safety and protection. Additionally, during April, we are presenting Internet Safety and The Dangers of Digital Devices to various other grade levels.”
Myrick said the number of interviews held in the past year have resulted in providing care for victims of child abuse.
“Following those interviews, we have provided victim advocacy to each of those children, their non offending caregivers and family and have made referrals for therapy and counseling for every child served,” Myrick said. “We continue to work together in an effort to provide resources and services to child victims of sexual abuse and severe physical abuse, their supportive family members, and the community; to facilitate joint investigations and follow-up services to victims and their families using a multi-disciplinary team partnership, and to empower the community for child abuse and neglect prevention.”
Monday’s proclamation by the Escambia County Commission was just one step taken by CAC staff to provide detailed information for the public on how to recognize and prevent child abuse and neglect.
The Child Advocacty Center in Brewton, also known as the Kathy Hill Child Advocacy Center, is located on Evergreen Avenue in Brewton near the Escambia County Courthouse.