Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center

Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center

Written by Beth Wade Wednesday, 07 November 2007

Children’s center expands to help more abuse victims.

The Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center, once located in a 1,300 sq. ft. house on Hwy. 29, in Georgetown, moved in October to a new building on Inner Loop near the Juvenile Justice Center.

The new facility is a result of the rapid growth in Williamson County and an overall increase in reported abuse cases, said Jerri Jones, executive director.

“We are averaging about 51 to 52 interviews a month,” Jones said. “I would expect it to grow somewhat. I don’t know that we’ll see the vast increase. If we do see more, it’s a positive problem. We need to grow because we know there are cases out there. I would just like a time to stabilize.”

In operation since 1998, the center works in tandem with other agencies, such as police and Child Protective Services, providing assistance for children in Williamson County who have been victims of abuse or witnesses to abuse and other crimes.

The new building has space for three interview rooms, added counseling services and medical exams, which now must be completed in Taylor, along with room for training. The medical exams are expected to begin by Spring 2008.

“The board of directors in the 2005 time frame got together and said we really need a bigger facility and started down that path,” Jones said. “Now, two years later, we have moved into a 7,500 sq. ft. facility. Our core purpose for being here is to provide that forensic interview. And that is of utmost importance because CPS and law enforcement can watch the interview; they can really determine through that child’s body language what has been happening. They don’t have to worry about asking the questions because we are doing that for them.”

Of the two additional rooms added in the new facility, one is specifically designed to help make teenagers feel at ease, Jones said.

“We want the kids [age 3 to 17] that come here to feel comfortable from the moment they walk through the door,” Jones said. “What we are really trying to do is get the truth in a child-friendly environment and in a child-friendly way.”

The staff is trained to avoid leading questions that can cause a case to be thrown out of court. The children’s interviews are recorded and can then be used by prosecutors as evidence in potential abuse cases. Jones expects the center to interview in excess of 600 children this year. By Oct. 19, the center had already exceeded last year’s numbers.

“We have also partnered with more agencies in the county that use us as a place to interview children who may have witnessed crimes,” she said.

If you suspect child abuse or neglect:

• DO listen to the child and be aware of your reactions
• DO report child abuse suspicions to law enforcement or the Texas Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-252-5400

• DO NOT try to investigate or obtain information from others
• DO NOT confront the accused abuser or notify anyone other than the authorities

Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center, 1811 S.E. Inner Loop, Georgetown • 930-1933, http://wcportals.wilco.org/cac/

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