Penn State case spotlights molestation nationally

Pennsylvania State University’s virtual meltdown this week over accusations that a trusted coach molested eight boys over 15 years has once again made sexual abuse of children a hot topic.

So what should you do if you suspect sexual assault or child abuse?

If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, call your local Department of Human Resources (DHR) or Child Protective Services (CPS) agency.

In Phenix City or Russell County:

• Department of Human Resources (DHR)—(334) 214-5780

In Surrounding Alabama Counties:

• Barbour County (334) 775-2000
• Bullock County (334) 738-2740
• Lee County (334) 749-8164
• Macon County (334) 725-2100

In Columbus or Muscogee County:

• Sexual Assault Support Center – 706-571-6010
• Muscogee County DFCS – (706) 649-7311

In Surrounding Georgia Counties:

• Harris County DFCS (706) 628-4226
• Talbot County DFCS (706) 665-8524
• Chattahoochee County DFCS (706) 989-3681
• Marion County DFCS (229) 649-2311
• Stewart County DFCS (229) 838-4335

If you are not sure what to do, call the: Childhelp USA® National Child Abuse Hotline,

• 1-800-4-A-CHILD® (1-800-422-4453)

What happens next?

Children who disclose abuse (and their non-offending family members) are referred to their local Child Advocacy Center to be interviewed by a trained forensic interviewer. Children are provided with a neutral, child friendly environment to be interviewed.  Law enforcement and DHR are available and if disclosure occurs during the interview, law enforcement, along with the District Attorney’s office, will determine if questioning of the offender needs to occur.

Residents in East Alabama and West Central Georgia are blessed with three wonderful Child Advocacy Centers that provides a safe place in a child-friendly environment for the evaluation of child sexual abuse. All three promote multi-agency cooperation, provide on-site forensic interviews, counseling, play therapy, forensic medical examinations for child victims of suspected sexual abuse, court accompaniment, and support for non-offending family members:

• Children’s Tree House Advocacy Center (serving Columbus, GA and the six-county Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit)
• Russell Co Child Advocacy Center (serving Phenix City and Russell County residents).
• Children’s Advocacy Center of Troup County (serving Troup County)

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Twin Cedars Youth Services

Did you know that each night approximately 170 babies, children, youth and teens sleep under the roof of a Twin Cedars home?

Twin Cedars Youth Services, Inc. is one of the oldest child serving agencies in the State of Georgia. This private non-profit organization specializes in residential services for adolescent boys and girls with a focus on serving teen mothers and their babies, sexually traumatized youth, sexually aggressive youth, and severely emotionally disturbed youth. Overall, 1,700 children and families are served through it’s community outreach each year.

The agency operates multiple programs in Columbus, LaGrange, Macon and in several other communities to meet the needs of Georgia’s children.

Columbus Programs

• Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home – Residential program providing service programs for sexually traumatized girls and girls with sexually aggressive behaviors ages 7-18
• Reality House – Youth development program for girls ages 14-21 who have received care for sexually aggressive behaviors and continue receiving services in independent living while continuing education
• Columbus Second Chance Home & Weracoba Second Chance Home – Group homes providing a safe, nurturing environment for teen mons and their babies while moms devlop educational, vocational and life skills needed to become self-sufficient
• Children’s Tree House Advocacy Center – A medical model children’s advocacy center providing on-side forensic interviewing and forensic medical examinations for child victims of suspected sexual abuse. Provides TRUST prevention program for families of at-risk infants (A United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, Inc. Agency; this program is supported in part by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia, Inc. through appropriations through the General Assembly.)
• Chattahoochee CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocate develops and support court-sanctioned programs that provide trained volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court deprivation proceedings
• Community Mental Health – Provides community mental health services for children and families

Admission

For more information, click here…

Twin Cedars Youth Services, Inc. is licensed by the Office of Regulatory Services and tri-annual accreditation visit from the Council on Accreditation. Twin Cedars is also accredited by the National Children’s Alliance and the American Association.

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