GIVING BACK | BY EMILY MIRANDA
≈ Access to Hope ≈ C H I L D R E N ’ S L E G AC Y C E N T E R
THEY OFFER SAFETY, peace and hope to all who enter their doors. The Children’s Legacy Center is Shasta County’s model of a Children’s Advocacy Center, established to ensure justice for abused, neglected and trafficked children. Such centers have been proven to increase the rate of prosecutions and hold positive impact on the long-term success of the children involved. In Shasta County, there is no greater need then ensuring a traumatized child is provided the highest level of care and support. The current legal process often requires abused children to retell their story several times to several individuals after the initial report of abuse. Once child welfare or law enforcement begins their investigation, the District Attorney gets involved. The child can be expected to repeat their story at each encounter, and share it again in court if the case is brought to trial. While this is intrinsic to ensure the safety of the child, the process is overwhelming and stressful for an already traumatized child, and can hinder the child’s road to healing. This is why any child in Shasta County who is sexually or physically abused, witnesses a physical or violent crime, is severely neglected or trafficked will come to the Children’s Legacy Center to receive their forensic interview, non-acute medical exam, advocacy support, housing (if needed) and therapy services. The center offers an alternative interview process that allows children to bypass the repetitive routine of re-sharing their story. The forensic interview is meant to elicit detailed information about events that the child may have witnessed or experienced. These interviews are captured by discreetly placed cameras. The forensic interviewer wears a listening device during the interview to communicate with colleagues watching the interview from a separate room. The separate room consists of representatives from the District Attorney’s Office, child welfare, law enforcement, a physician and a child or family advocate. Having all of them present allows each to feed any additional questions to the interviewer, eliminating the need for repeat interviews. This process provides a safe space where children are supported, known and provided with the help they need to restore their health and well-being. With the continued support of families, a dedicated team and the community, the Children’s Legacy Center is committed to advocate for each child, ensuring each is given access to the hope and healing they need to thrive for generations to come. • www.childrenslegacycenter.org
Emily J. Miranda is a freelance writer, designer, and self taught artist. She is a graduate of Simpson University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with an emphasis on business and marketing. In her free time she enjoys writing, painting, sewing, and any projects involving creative insight.
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www.EnjoyMagazine.com OCTOBER 2020
