New Center Opens for Child Abuse Victims

West Lake High School student Brooke Adair is deeply involved in her community. She was crowned 2009 Miss Teen Austin and logged more than 500 hours of community service. She is also a survivor.

"Since I was abused as a child it has given me first-hand experience to be able to talk about and advocate for abused or neglected children," says Adair.

It is why the mission of the Center for Child Protection is so close to her heart. Wednesday it was announced that a number of agencies will move into a new facility at the center. Brooke says the move will help victims of abuse.

"It makes it much more easier on them and not a tremendous stress on them, what they've gone through is tremendous stress already," says Adair.

The move will streamline communications among agencies during an investigation. A process, Brooke says, would've made it easier for her as a child.

"I was always meeting new people, being questioned differently all the time, I was constantly having to relive what happened, with this center that doesn't happen the center is there for the child," says Adair.

"Being here in one place and being able to bring that child to one location and be centralized and really coordinate those investigations will really be a great thing for the children of Travis County," says Chris VanDeusen, Family & Protective Services Spokesman.

Also working for the children will be 16 APD child abuse detectives.

"We waste no time driving waste no time having to pick up the phone so we could just step up walk across to that private campus and say we need help," says APD Chief Art Acevedo.

In 2009 Travis County confirmed more than 1,700 cases of child abuse and neglect. Of those victims, 69% reported they were also sexually abused.

The center works with 14 other agencies to provide services. They say they are always looking for volunteers and donations.
 

LINK: Center for Child Protection