FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 6/1/09) After turbulent times at the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center, there's new hope for sexually abused children in the Memphis area.
A partnership between Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center and the Memphis Child Advocacy Center will treat children who may have been abused.
It came after allegations surfaced that rape victims were turned away from the rape crisis center.
The timing is remarkable. Just last week, police began investigating the rape of a three year-old girl. Until today, children like her were sent across town to MSARC, where under-staffing and missing funds caused some victims to be turned away.
Now, advocates want to be sure children will get treatment, so the new medical clinic will treat child victims in a room complete with small chairs, toys and an exam table. The partnership won't solve all the problems stemming from MSARC, but it will help provide help to the youngest rape victims. For authorities, it's a big step forward.
"A coordinated response is what the law requires and more than that, it's what children deserve," says Nancy Williams of the Memphis Child Advocacy Center. During the first day of the partnership, advocates explained how a lead medical director will oversee 6 nurses, 4 social workers, and other child specialists to ensure that no sexually abused child will be ignored.
"This is the right thing to do for us, and it's the right thing to do for these kids," says Meri Armour, CEO of Le Bonheur, who says children under 13 and those under 17 who were abused by a guardian will get care.
District Attorney Bill Gibbons became aware of trouble at MSARC last fall and says, "This arrangement with Le Bonheur is in the best interest of the children and we think it's going to work very well."
However, care for adults is still in limbo as MSARC remains a political hot potato. The mayor has spoken out, a new manager was hired and a state audit has begun. Some think the county should take the center over, but that discussion will not come for two weeks.
- Le Bonheur partners with Child Advocacy Center
- Medical clinic to treat child rape victims
- MSARC facing scrutiny
(Memphis 6/1/09) After turbulent times at the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center, there's new hope for sexually abused children in the Memphis area.
A partnership between Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center and the Memphis Child Advocacy Center will treat children who may have been abused.
It came after allegations surfaced that rape victims were turned away from the rape crisis center.
The timing is remarkable. Just last week, police began investigating the rape of a three year-old girl. Until today, children like her were sent across town to MSARC, where under-staffing and missing funds caused some victims to be turned away.
Now, advocates want to be sure children will get treatment, so the new medical clinic will treat child victims in a room complete with small chairs, toys and an exam table. The partnership won't solve all the problems stemming from MSARC, but it will help provide help to the youngest rape victims. For authorities, it's a big step forward.
"A coordinated response is what the law requires and more than that, it's what children deserve," says Nancy Williams of the Memphis Child Advocacy Center. During the first day of the partnership, advocates explained how a lead medical director will oversee 6 nurses, 4 social workers, and other child specialists to ensure that no sexually abused child will be ignored.
"This is the right thing to do for us, and it's the right thing to do for these kids," says Meri Armour, CEO of Le Bonheur, who says children under 13 and those under 17 who were abused by a guardian will get care.
District Attorney Bill Gibbons became aware of trouble at MSARC last fall and says, "This arrangement with Le Bonheur is in the best interest of the children and we think it's going to work very well."
However, care for adults is still in limbo as MSARC remains a political hot potato. The mayor has spoken out, a new manager was hired and a state audit has begun. Some think the county should take the center over, but that discussion will not come for two weeks.
