Child Welfare in Action: Child Welfare Expert Interview With Shelby Trahan of the
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CHILD WELFARE IN ACTION:CHILD WELFARE EXPERT INTERVIEW WITH
SHELBY TRAHAN OF THE
Erin DudleyUniversity of New
Hampshire
What is a Child Advocacy Center (CAC)?
“Comprehensive, child -focused program in a facility that allows law
enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health and medical communities to work
together to handle child abuse cases”
What Happens at a CAC? The CAC provides a neutral, child-friendly setting where
child victims of abuse (primarily sexual) are interviewed in a
forensic, fact-finding, manner.
Prior to CAC’s, children were often interviewed more than 8
times. The CAC model allows all team members (police,
DCYF, prosecutors, etc.) questions to get answered, but the
child only has to meet and talk with one person (Shelby
Trahan).
Shelby is a trained forensic interviewer and on average
interviews 2 children per day regarding abuse.
Pictures of the CAC in Manchester
Waiting Room
Here families and children wait for interviews. As you can see it is very welcoming (much more so than a police department where children were interviewed prior to CAC’s.)
Interview Room
This is the room where children are interviewed. All team members watch on a closed circuit television. Therefore, the child only has to tell their story once.
Interview with Shelby Trahan Potential Risks for Children and Families Served:
Sexual abuse
Witness to violence (Domestic violence in homes.)
Physical abuse
Parental substance abuse and/or history of sexual abuse (Many parents have a history of trauma and substance abuse. These parents face unique challenges when dealing with their own child’s abuse.)
Lack of Support (Many parents have a lack of resources-social support, money, housing, transportation, education, etc.)
Lack of knowledge about sexual abuse (Parents are unaware of red flags and are unsure of how to support and protect their children.)
Parents not believing child
Child not taught about body safety
Interview with Shelby Trahan Services provided by the CAC:
Forensic interviews for child victims of abuse. The process
reduces trauma and increases the prosecution rates for
child sexual abuse cases.
An advocate from the YWCA crisis center is present at
every interview to support the family and child. The YWCA
serves as a resource for families after the interview.
Medical and mental health referrals (doctors and therapists
specializing in sexual abuse)
Outreach and education (family outreach, daycare CEU
trainings, police department trainings, center tours)
Interview with Shelby Trahan
How does the CAC promote child and family resiliency? Decrease in disjointedness of criminal justice system. Team coordination (all team members are held
accountable and work together for the family) Child-friendly (Children are given a teddy bear after their
interview and are also allowed to put their handprints on the wall. This makes most children more comfortable with the process versus being interviewed by an intimidating detective) (See pictures on the next slide. )
Education for parents and children about body safety Connections with community and services available-
YWCA Doctors Counselors Department of Health and Human Services
Hands of Hope and Teddy Bears
Children get to see the hands of each child that has been to the CAC. This is often comforting and makes disclosing easier. They can visually see that they are not alone. Following the interview they get to add their hands to
the wall and pick out a teddy bear.
Challenges for Shelby
Difficult when she suspects that a child is being abused and they do not disclose
When families do not believe their children
When there is not enough of a disclosure to arrest the perpetrator
Aiding families in their time of crisis is draining
Hearing stories of horrific abuse
Interview with Shelby Trahan How do you prevent vicarious trauma?
Staying busy- school, work, family
Hearing about cases being prosecuted is very rewarding
Seeing a child breath a sigh of relief after they disclose
Speaking with families and hearing how the child is doing
Educating the public about abuse
Knowing that I helped prevent a child from being abused further
Self care!!!! (Gym, Playing with my dog)
Questions??
If there are any questions feel free to contact me at emo44@unh.edu
Thanks!
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