Child Advocacy Center Has Multiple Services for Victims

The Howard County Child Advocacy Center, a place for child abuse and domestic violence victims to receive multiple services from local government and other agencies, recently held a ceremony at its confidential location in recognition of Child Abuse Awareness Month.  In 2012, the police department handled 92 cases of child sexual abuse and 37 cases of physical abuse in Howard County.

The center, also known as The Listening Place, promotes collaborative investigations and interventions for children and their families in the cases of child abuse and domestic violence.  Police detectives, state’s attorneys, social services, counseling and medical evaluation are available in the facility. The children's waiting room and other spaces have been designed especially for youngsters.

In addition to the Howard County Department of Police, other groups represented at the center include the Department of Social Services, Health Department and Department of Citizen Services, as well as the Domestic Violence Center, Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland and Howard County General Hospital.