SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Julie Morrison joined Child Advocacy Center leaders from across the state to raise awareness about support the centers’ provide to children and advocate for the passage of Senate Bill 3510.
“Think about a child who has been abused or sexually assaulted. Rather than passing them from the police station to another room, they go to one place – one environment – to tell their story once,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “It is so impactful that we have Child Advocacy Centers in Illinois that allow this streamlined approach.”
Child Advocacy Centers across the nation have been working since 1985 to provide critical support and services to children who are victims of abuse. Starting with one center in Alabama, there are now over 600 centers in the country with 41 located in Illinois, covering every county.
These centers play an integral role to providing a safe, child-focused setting for investigations of child abuse – ensuring victims and their families receive quality, timely care when they need it most while raising community awareness to combat child abuse.
They can provide children and families with child-centered forensic interviews, counseling, prevention education, access to Court Appointed Special Advocates’ and victim advocacy. Through the use of these multi-dispensary teams comprised of medical, law enforcement, mental health, prosecution, child protective services and victim advocacy professionals, these centers’ bolster children’s access to care they need.
Morrison is spearheading Senate Bill 3510 through the Senate. The measure would require increased coordination between each Children Advocacy Center's multidisciplinary team member, including having access to relevant records related to a child abuse investigation, and sharing of information in a confidential manner.
It would also allow Department of Children and Family Services personnel, and if appropriate, school personnel to be added to a centers’ multidisciplinary team approach and allow team members to provide notification to a child's parent, guardian, or adult support person, regarding a forensic interview.
Lastly, the measure would classify second or subsequent convictions of endangering the life or health of a child as a Class 3 felony.
“The right to have an interview is critical. If we don’t make sure that each alleged victim knows they have that right, than it can’t be exercised,” said Morrison. “I hope Senate Bill 3510 will propel more children to Child Advocacy Centers that will be helpful and allow them to begin healing.”
Senate Bill 3510 awaits to be heard by the full Senate.
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