Safe Children Foundation

THE MISSION OF SAFESPOT CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY NAVIGATE THE INVESTIGATION AND AFTERMATH OF ABUSE.

MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY - USING THE BEST PRACTICES OF TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (TF-CBT), SAFESPOT THERAPISTS WORK WITH SURVIVORS TO BUILD COPING STRATEGIES, REDUCE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, ADDRESS NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS SUCH AS DISTORTED THINKING AND LOW SELF-ESTEEM, AND REGAIN THE ABILITY TO FORM TRUSTING, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. CAREGIVERS ARE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THEIR CHILD'S THERAPY - THROUGH INDIVIDUAL AND JOINT SESSIONS, OUR THERAPISTS HELP FAMILY MEMBERS TO COPE EFFECTIVELY WITH THEIR OWN EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND DEVELOP SKILLS THAT SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN. TF-CBT LASTS, ON AVERAGE, 18-24 SESSIONS AND INCLUDES A VARIETY OF MODALITIES INCLUDING ART-, PLAY-, AND TALK-THERAPY TO MEET EACH CHILD WHERE S/HE IS IN THEIR HEALING PROCESS. TRAUMA-FOCUSED COGNITIVE-BASED THERAPY HAS LONG-TERM IMPACTS ON THE CLIENT'S ABILITY TO DEAL WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AND TO UTILIZE APPROPRIATE COPING SKILLS INTO ADULTHOOD.

FORENSIC INTERVIEW - WHEN POLICE OR CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES RECEIVE A REPORT THAT A CHILD HAS BEEN SEXUALLY OR PHYSICALLY ABUSED, OR HAS WITNESSED A VIOLENT CRIME, THE CHILD IS BROUGHT TO SAFESPOT FOR A FORENSIC INTERVIEW. THE GOAL OF THE FORENSIC INTERVIEW IS TO ELICIT INFORMATION THAT EVALUATES THE SAFETY OF THE CHILD, ASSESSES THE NEED FOR MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE, CORROBORATES OR REFUTES ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT; AND PROVIDES EVIDENCE IN THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. MOST IMPORTANTLY, HIGHLY TRAINED CHILD INTERVIEW SPECIALISTS ASK QUESTIONS THAT ARE STRUCTURED TO AVOID RE-TRAUMATIZING THE CHILD OR COMPROMISING THE INVESTIGATION. INTERVIEWS ARE OBSERVED BY MEMBERS OF THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM - INCLUDING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, MENTAL HEALTH THERAPISTS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, AND VICTIM ADVOCATES - AND CAN BECOME EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

FAMILY ADVOCACY - SAFESPOT FAMILY ADVOCATES MEET WITH THE CAREGIVERS TO LISTEN AND OFFER CRISIS RESPONSE AND SUPPORT. ADVOCATES PROVIDE RESOURCES, SERVICE REFERRALS, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND GUIDANCE ON NAVIGATING THE CHILD WELFARE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS. ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE NON-OFFENDING CAREGIVER IS CRITICAL, AS FEELINGS OF GUILT, ANGER, AND DISBELIEF CAN OFTEN FOLLOW A REPORT OF CHILD ABUSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ALLEGED ABUSER IS A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND. HELPING CAREGIVERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPACTS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT ENSURES THE BEST SUPPORT IS GIVEN TO THE CHILD. FAMILY ADVOCACY SERVICES ARE INITIATED AT THE TIME OF THE FORENSIC INTERVIEW BUT CONTINUE FOR AS LONG AS THE FAMILY NEEDS SUPPORT.