Children's Advocacy Center opens in new South campus locations

Facility called one of a kind in nation

by Becky Rickard

South campus has a new addition on the upper level of the Kathy J. Weinman Children's Advocacy Center & Institute for Trauma Recovery this semester. The Children's Advocacy Center of St. Louis has merged with UM-St. Louis to form the Children's Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis.

Since the early 1980's, child sexual abuse has become a recognized crisis.

Not only is the physical aspect of child sexual abuse damaging, but the psychological repercussions are also traumatizing.

The CAC provides investigative, medical and therapeutical facilities in one location to maximize the validity of the children's allegations while reducing the number of times children tell their stories for the proper officials.

The protocol for evaluation at CAC begins with an investigatory interview.

A multi-disciplinary team, including forensic specialists, counselors, therapists, law enforcement personnel, nurse practitioner child specialists and prosecuting/circuit attorneys, will conduct a fact-finding, child friendly interview.

The center has the proper facilities with cutting edge computer and technological resources to conduct a physical examination if requested.

Treatment is the third and most involved step occurring at CAC.

The building is equipped with rooms for art therapy, group therapy, individual counseling and family therapy.

Additional components, such as psychological assessment, counseling, therapy, consultation and prevention education, may be implemented according to the individual's needs.

"This is probably the only center of this type in the nation that is affiliated with a university and is doing not only the forensic part, but also the treatment while doing training and research," Jeffrey Wherry, director of the Children's Advocacy Center, said.

The new location has an auditorium capable of housing conferences and seminars. Wherry intends to utilize the resources UM-St. Louis has to offer as a University and as a research institution.

In fact, the Kathy J. Weinman Children's Advocacy Centre will host a two-day symposium, "Systematic Response to Child Sexual Abuse," on Sept. 11-12.

"We try to assemble a staff with a lot of expertise and a staff that can relate to the appropriate academic departments at UM-St. Louis," Wherry added.

The CAC hopes to allow UM-St. Louis students to use its facilities to enhance their education. The Children's Advocacy Centre will offer practicum placements, post-degree fellowships and cross-referenced undergraduate courses in psychology, social work, nursing and criminology.

Although the Children's Advocacy Center is beginning it's first year, it has the resources and vision to become an asset to the campus and community.