WOODS CROSS -- More children were interviewed at the Children's Justice Center (CJC) in August than ever, its director told the BountifulExchange Club Thursday.
Doug Miller spoke to the club and also accepted a $500 check from the service club, which is a strong advocate of preventing child and sexual abuse, and of CJC activities.
"When we look at the trend over the year, we see the summer months have more cases that tend to come in,"Miller said. Fifty-five children of all ages were interviewed at the facility, which is one of about a dozen across the state set up as child-friendly places.
They are designed so that children can tell their stories, recount the trauma of the alleged crimes against them, one time in one place, rather than potentially being shuffled from one government agency to another.
Staff on hand are trained to deal specifically with children, as well. A team has been set up that includes a prosecutor paid for by Davis County to work exclusively with CJCcases, along with detectives from law enforcement agencies across the county, State Child Protective Services investigators, victim advocates, as well as representatives of YouthCorrections, Adult Probation and Parole, a Davis School District representative, as well as someone from the State Attorney General's Office.
"Without groups like the Exchange Club, many, many others that contribute, and through our fundraising events, we wouldn't be able to provide those kinds of services,"Miller said. "It makes a huge difference."
The CJC runs two major fundraisers each year:a golf tournament at Davis Golf Course in June, hosted by pro Bruce Summerhays; and a gingerbread village fundraiser in conjunction with Farmington's Christmas Home Tour.
Currently, a giant playhouse built by Sahara Construction of West Bountiful will be sold off to generate more funds for the facility while also building awareness. Those interested may pay $10 to be entered into a drawing.
"A lot of the cases don't have to go to trial,"Miller said. "We're seeing more rapid, better resolution for the child." Often, when alleged perpetrators view videotapes of the children involved, they often agree to a plea bargain.
"I wouldn't say our cases are more benign or egregious than in the past, just more of the same,"Miller said. "Ithink if you go back in time, people were sexually abusing children, but it was seen as an absurd concept.
"That's not the case anymore at all," he said. "Most people acknowledge that it takes place, that it needs to be dealt with. There may be some denial that it's happening in their own community," he said of perceptions by some people.
CJCs have been set up in major communities throughout the state over the past decade. Strong community support was sought to construct and maintain these facilities. For example, the Bountiful Exchange Club was among those groups that provided funding initially to help get the Davis County facility into operation.
For more information about the CJCcall 451-3560.