| Victim’s grandfather values Advocacy Center |
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By: By LISA MARCHESONI Senior Writer
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When a grandfather learned his young granddaughter was sexually abused, he sought professional help from the staff at Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford County.
The center is a non-profit agency that serves children who have been victims of child abuse, child sexual abuse and drug endangered children along with their non-offending parents and family members.
Detectives interviewed his granddaughter in a comfortable, child-friendly atmosphere, then directed her to a medical clinic for children. The staff recommended counseling.
“Where the big help came was counseling,” said the grandfather who didn’t want to be identified. “It allowed us to vent some real frustrations.”
He is one of 4,239 children and adults receiving services from the advocacy center during the past seven years.
To help fund the nonprofit center, sponsors are hosting the little yellow rubber Duck Derby Aug. 25 at Stones River. Cost to adopt a duck is $5. Sponsors hope community residents will adopt 5,000 ducks for the derby.
Winning ducks will be eligible for prizes including trips to Walt Disney World or Key West, Fla., and gift certificates.
Ducks may be adopted at MidSouth Bank, Lascassas Drug, Top of the Block, Dance Works Studio, State Farm, Murfreesboro Post and Demos’ restaurant (from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday only).
The center staff provides free services for victims and families including counseling, referring families to community resources, providing a crisis telephone line, attending court and sponsoring support groups for the children and families.
Executive Director Sharon DeBoer said the center coordinates services, educates the community, assists victims and helps prosecute offenders.
In a survey, parents commented:
• “The Child Advocacy Center was a great environment where my child could relax and feel comfortable talking about what happened.”
• “There is no place better for help when your child has been abused than the Child Advocacy Center.”
• “The Child Advocacy Center provided support for our family during one of the hardest things we have ever been through.
For the grandfather, the counseling sessions proved beneficial.
“I went away each Tuesday night feeling better and encouraged by group counseling,” he said.
Dr. Trey Monroe, a therapist, counseled the children.
“He is so good with children,” the grandfather said of the therapist.
Dr. Monroe and counselors taught the children to report people who touch the private parts of their body and reinforced the granddaughter who reported the abuser.
“The advocacy center was my prop,” the grandfather said. “They helped me up. I believe in what they do.”
Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com.
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