Center aiding more possible victims of child abuse
Published 9:08 am Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The Southwest Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center is on track to interview more youngsters this year who might be victims of child abuse or other crimes.
Social worker Jade Douglas says the center interviewed 225 children in 2011. So far in 2012, the center had already interviewed 120 by late May.
The Enterprise-Journal reports that the center serves 12 counties and is expanding its workload to help Lamar and Perry counties because a children’s advocacy center in Hattiesburg has lost funding.
Douglas interviews children who are thought to be victims of physical or sexual abuse, or who have witnessed violent crimes or drug deals. The videotaped interviews are given to the courts and can be used as evidence instead of having children testify on the witness stand.
