Children who experience abuse need a safe and welcoming space to share their experience and get the care and support they need. Learn about the Center for Safe and Healthy Children and Adolescents.
Participants: Chris Derauf, M.D.; Alison Jewell, M.S.W., Sam Khoshini
Dr. Derauf: Healing from physical and sexual abuse begins when your child walks through our center doors. We know that children who experience abuse need a safe and welcoming space to share their experience and to get the care and support they need.
Alison Jewell: Without a resource like our center, children and families often have to visit multiple agencies to talk about their abuse. As you can imagine, that can be a very stressful situation for children having to recount their difficult experience more than once. There's the added burden for families trying to identify and navigate the right resources and agencies. This can make an already stressful situation feel overwhelming. That's why we're grateful the center provides a child-friendly space where kids and families can receive all the services and supports together, in one space.
Dr. Derauf: The center gathers professionals such as therapists, healthcare providers, law enforcement, child protection social workers, and victim advocates, all under one roof. And we're here for the entire Mayo Clinic Health System, as well as surrounding states and communities. These professionals coordinate their work to better serve the needs of children and families. When children visit the center, they may be invited to speak with a professional who's specially trained in these kinds of interviews, and these conversations happen in a safe and separate interview room. The interview is designed to provide the child with an open opportunity to share their experience. It's confidential, digitally recorded, and usually lasts between 20 and 90 minutes.
Alison Jewell: While your child is being interviewed, you'll have the opportunity to meet with a victim advocate and a mental health therapist. The victim advocate will assist you with safety planning and help you understand the investigative process. They're there to support you and assess your needs and any barriers, and also refer you to appropriate resources.
Dr. Derauf: When a child experiences abuse, prioritizing the mental health of the child and their non-offending caregiver is crucial. Our therapist gathers information about any concerns you may have about your child's mental health. They'll give you details about how trauma may affect your child and family. If needed, they can begin to help your child cope with any symptoms they are experiencing.
Alison Jewell: After the interview, you'll have the opportunity to meet the team members who will explain their roles, recommendations, and possible next steps. The victim advocate is available to partner with you to address your ongoing needs related to your child's abuse. Child protection and law enforcement may also continue to work with you and your family to address safety concerns.
Sam Khoshini: During your time at the center, you might meet our certified facility dog. He's professionally trained to partner with our center staff to provide nonjudgmental support to the families and children during their visits. We know that this can be a new and challenging process. Research has shown that the presence of a facility dog can significantly reduce stress and anxiety.
Alison Jewell: The most important thing we want families to know is that you don't have to go through this difficult process alone.
Dr. Derauf: Providing your child with an opportunity to be heard in a safe and welcoming space, puts them on a road to healing.
Alison Jewell: It's professional, it's confidential, and we're here to help.