On February 24th, my group and I visited The Manhattan Child Advocacy Center on the Upper East Side. The Center consists of representatives from several different organizations and agencies, such as the Administration for Child Services and Safe Horizon. There were also detectives and members of the NYPD working there. At the Center, families who have been suspected of having some sort of abuse in their home come in and meet with the representatives of the organizations. The child in the family, who is believed to be in an abusive home, will meet with a representative, such as John, a Safe Horizon worker who we met yesterday, and discuss their situation at home and how they feel about it. Parents who are suspected of being abusive, will be interviewed by a detective, while the child speaks with the representative. Ultimately, the Advocacy Center, with its several different agencies working together, uncovers the truth in cases, and takes serious measures to put the child in a safer environment. Depending on the severity and type of the case, the center will also provide therapy for abuse victims, family/parent counseling, and when very severe, may arrest an abuser right there.
John, from Safe Horizon, who we interviewed, told us that the goal of the Advocacy Center was to create a more comfortable environment for families who are struggling with abuse, so that they can open up about their situation and get the help they need. The Center is unique and very important, because unlike a police precinct, where some abuse perpetrators may end up initially, the Center is more welcoming and not as intimidating. The Advocacy Center also makes the process easier for families by having representatives from all of the organizations and agencies in one location, rather than all around the city.
While I was there, I could definitely feel the effort that the Center and its members put into making it comfortable for families who are going through emotional and tough times. I was very surprised to go downstairs and see the police/detective offices. There were two jail cells as well as an interview room (with a one-way mirror), that really showed me how serious of a place this was. Seeing those parts of the Center made me realize how truly serious this work is, in a way that I had never before. The Center also had a Children’s Clothes Closet, which was a room filled with clothing, diapers, toys, and basic necessities. They provide these items to families who visit and are need for a variety of reasons. Overall, I felt that I gained new insight into what goes on to uncover child abuse cases, by visiting the Manhattan Child Advocacy Center.
The cozy, comforting entrance to the Advocacy Center.
The “Children’s Clothes Closet” at the Center.
