LIHU‘E — Visitors to the Children’s Justice Center of Kaua‘i on Thursday were met by a windy trail of 250 children’s slippers along the Dynasty Court sidewalk leading the CJC office. The footwear represents the more than 80 children that
LIHU‘E — Visitors to the Children’s Justice Center of Kaua‘i on Thursday were met by a windy trail of 250 children’s slippers along the Dynasty Court sidewalk leading the CJC office.
The footwear represents the more than 80 children that received services from the CJC in 2012, said Jessell Kerr, executive director.
“The primary purpose of the center’s is to provide a child-friendly, victim-focused facility where child-victims and supportive family members can begin the healing process,” Kerr said. “The intent is to reduce trauma to the victim by reducing the number of times they are required to retell or recall their abuse.”
The display was part of an open house to acknowledge the 30th National Prevent Child Abuse Month.
Although the numbers of abused children is declining, which authorities credit to better prevention, reporting and prosecution, Kerr said only about one-third of abuse is reported. Ninety percent of children know the abuser and more than 65 percent don’t reveal any abuse occurred until adulthood.
In Hawai‘i, about 6,000 cases of child abuse are reported annually, Kerr said.
CJC’s in Hawai‘i receive an average of about 1,200 reports of sexual abuse per year and of these victims, 75 percent are female and 25 percent are male, she said.
Nationally, the Children’s Justice Center’s served more than 170,000 youth and families in 2011. Around 70 percent of these cases involved sexual abuse, said Kerr, with the remaining cases involving physical abuse, a witness to a crime of violence, and neglect.
CJC provides digital quality recording gear that is consistent with court standards for evidence-quality case interviews. Interviews are conducted day or night in a setting designed to make children comfortable.
“This is a great resource to the police department,” said Assistant Chief Roy Asher, who leads the Investigative Services Bureau.
YWCA Director Joan Luzney said the CJC is a safe place to get the ball rolling on both fronts. As the prosecution builds its case, children are referred to case management and other resources.
“This is where it all starts,” Luzney said.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0424 or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
