sgusers的部落格

Source: The Telegraph, Alton, Ill.mini storageOct. 13--WOOD RIVER -- It all started with a little girl named Crystal, who was taken to a doctor with multiple venereal diseases.The diagnosis was fairly obvious, because the 6-year-old child had developed physical symptoms that eventually required surgery."The only way she could have received these injuries was through sexual abuse," said Circuit Judge Kyle Napp, a former prosecutor. "Clearly, you know, somebody did something to this child."Crystal's grandmother took her to the doctor, but the child denied to the doctor any such thing ever happened to her. At the doctor's instructions, her grandmother took the victim to the police station, where an officer interviewed her. The officer was in full uniform and wearing a badge, The officer was sensitive, but still, Crystal still denied any abuse."She was scared to death at the police department," Napp said.There was evidence. The boyfriend had the same disease as the child, but without a statement from the victim, a prosecution could be in doubt, and without a solid case, the suspect, a boyfriend of the child's mother, could have escaped responsibility for the crime.The child was interviewed by at least 10 people, including police officers, case workers for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and prosecutors. Each interview made the child more uncomfortable. She was not previously aware that anything unusual had happened to her."Each of the people who talked to her had the best of intentions," Napp said.Eventually, she was referred to a nurse with whom she developed a bond. The nurse was ale to get her to open up and tell what really happened.From that point, Napp, who was the lead prosecutor, police, caseworkers and other attorneys were able to develop a case; however, the law provides that the victim must testify.The brave little girl walked into court at the age of 7. Napp remembers having to put a telephone book on the seat in the witness box so the child could see and be seen over the witness stand.The victim was able to tell the jury what happened to her. The defendant was convicted and sentenced to 22 years in prison on a Class X felony."When she was asked why she originally denied everything, she said that he had told her that if she told, she would go to jail. When her grandmother took her to the police station, she thought she was going to jail," Napp said.The former prosecutor said she realized at the time that she and her colleagues could do better for victims of abuse -- not only sexual abuse, but of physical abuse.She went to then-Madison County State's Attorney William R. Haine, and they agreed to pursue what is now the Madison County Child Advocacy Center.The trial of Crystal's abuser that sticks in Napp's mind was in 2000. The Child Advocacy Center was established in 2003. It always has been housed at the Madison County Facility, the former Wood River Township Hospit迷你倉l.Gone are the days when a child has to run a gauntlet of interviews at police stations and multiple business offices.Now, 10 years and 4,400 interviews later, the CAC is celebrating its anniversary with a Diamonds and Denim gala from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Villa Marie Winery in Maryville."The Madison County Child Advocacy Center encourages the community to be champions for children and take a stand against child abuse," CAC Executive Director Carrie Cohan said."Each year in Madison County, one in 23 children is involved in an allegation of child abuse. The CAC works to provide a professional and child-friendly environment to assist in the investigation of these allegations," Cohan said.Napp said the brightly colored center, with its trained interviewers, make a remarkable difference in the digitally recorded evidence that can be presented to a jury. The law states the victim still must testify, but sometimes the interview is so strong, the defense attorneys are more likely to advise their clients to make a plea, spare the time and expense of a trial and prevent the additional trauma of a youngster having to testify.When they come to the center, the children may be unaware that anything unusual has happened to them, but with the help of trained personnel, they are much less inhibited in telling their stories.The interviews also can eliminate bad cases, in which a child is talked into making a false report of abuse as part of a dispute between between custodial adults.A team of lawyers, police officers and CAC personnel all work together to reduce any psychological harm that may occur. Napp said many of the victims she came in contact with have required extensive counseling after their cases came to light.Attorneys and officers may observe the interview through a one-way window.The CAC is funded partially with money from Madison County and some from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The official funding sources are not enough, Cohan said, and state funding is unreliable.That is why the CAC does extensive fund-raising.The Diamonds and Denim event will be a casual affair. People who come are encouraged to wear jeans and "bling," meaning diamonds are not really required, but something similar will work."You can also buy jewelry at the event," Cohan said.Hudson Jewelry will have a stand in place.The tickets cost $45 per person, and the price includes a buffet, dancing and music by the Glendale Riders, a silent auction and a live auction. The center also is distributing a video of Napp telling about the events that led up to the founding of the CAC.To buy tickets or make a tax-deductible donation, people may visit .madco-cac.org/events."Its going to be a fun evening," Cohan said.sanfordschmidt@yahoo.comCopyright: ___ (c)2013 The Telegraph (Alton, Ill.) Visit The Telegraph (Alton, Ill.) at .thetelegraph.com Distributed by MCT Information Services文件倉