Abused kids get their haven

Thursday, November 06, 2008
By CHARLES HACK
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A haven for abused children officially opened in Jersey City last week and one of its most high-profile advocates cut the ribbon.

"We are taking another step in protecting our children," said Gov. Jon S. Corzine at the official opening of the Hudson County Child Advocacy Center on Newark Avenue.

"This child advocacy center that is opening here today with state dollars and county dollars is one of the first entry points where our children who are at risk, and often have been abused, get evaluated and directed into our system," added Corzine, a Hoboken resident.

"It is an important ingredient in our system and one that I am absolutely committed to."

The new offices include two interview rooms with a closed circuit television where Special Victims Unit detectives can interview abused children and witnesses. Renovation of the former medical office cost $360,000, officials said.

The center also has a closet with new clothes and supplies donated by the New York nonprofit, New York Child Abuse Prevention Program, for children who cannot return home.

The center is sponsored by the nonprofit Hudson County Child Abuse Prevention Center, which was set up to provide counseling, training and support services to prevent abuse.

The child advocacy center used to be run by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office at a remote office on Duncan Avenue. But the alleged perpetrators were interviewed there as well, officials said.

For the safety of victims and to gain accreditation with the National Children's Alliance, the victims will now be interviewed at the new location across the street from the Brennan Court House, said Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Debbie Simon.

Transferring the center to the nonprofit allows them to raise more funds than they could have under the Prosecutor's Office, officials said.

"We can only hope we will help children of Hudson County who are abused," said Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio, who pushed for the first child advocacy center in Hudson County.

Child abuse can be reported to the state at 877-652-2873.