Domestic violence often starts with what seem like small, controlling behaviors. For children, this can result in physical or sexual abuse or neglect, among other traumatic incidents. Everyone deserves peace, respect and safety in their relationships. Our community’s children are no exception to this.
Regina* disclosed sexual abuse by a family member. She was connected with the Family Services Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) for a forensic interview to collect her description of the events as evidence as part of law enforcement’s criminal investigation.
The Family Services staff provided trauma-informed support to Regina’s mother during this process, so she would be able to help in her daughter’s emotional healing and also referred Regina to our Family Services therapy program. She has successfully been attending sessions and progressing now for many months, following a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with her trauma symptoms decreasing significantly.
“Our counselors are trained to support children and their families after trauma, using evidence-based approaches such as short term Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention,” Administrative Director of Clinical Services Courtney Perry shared. “This reduces acute symptoms while stabilizing the family.”
Children learn how to desensitize themselves to the memories of abuse that the offender committed. Traumatic memories for clients with PTSD can often recur for a child or individual as if it happened only minutes ago – even if the moment occurred years before. Longer term healing tools may include Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy or other trauma-informed tools to meet the client’s individual needs while strengthening a sense of safety.
As the family looks to the future, Regina and her mother look forward to continuing their work and progress with their Family Services therapist to explore any stressors Regina may face in family life, so she can continue to heal.
This multidisciplinary approach provides a confidential, comfortable child-friendly, and age-appropriate environment for children and families to begin their journey to healing, like Regina. Some of these children have also been guests as part of our wrap-around services with our emergency domestic violence shelter.
Last year, of the 187 guests who stayed at the shelter, 90 of them were children. Currently, the shelter operates at maximum capacity. These are the adults and children you see, but whose lives you cannot imagine.
“When you don’t have a safe place to just relax, to take a breath, to feel safe – that is just very devastating,” expressed Director of the Child Advocacy Center Ernest Britton.
For Regina, she has learned these new tools to cope with invasive, troubling memories and thoughts of abuse. She is One Step Closer in her journey of healing and hope.
*Not her real name.
Domestic Violence And Sexual Assault Crisis Line
336.723.8125
familyservicesforsyth.org | giveonestepcloser.org
