CHENANGO COUNTY – Representatives from several organizations came together Monday at Catholic Charities of Chenango County to sign an agreement for the use of a special interviewing room to aid in the investigation of child abuse cases.
Representatives from local law enforcement agencies, the Chenango County Court System, Chenango Memorial Hospital and the Department of Social Services came together at Catholic Charities to sign a Memorandum of Understanding which serves as a guideline, explaining the responsibilities of each agency involved and allowing the agencies to better coordinate their work and share information. This process is intended to lead to a more thorough, coordinated investigation and to lessen the trauma on the child victims.
According to Multidisciplinary Team Coordinator Tim Hagen, “The multidisciplinary team is an interagency investigative team comprised of professionals from the key disciplines involved in investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases.”
The goal of the team is to coordinate efforts between agencies, providing each with the information they need. “In most cases, the early, coordinated intervention by law enforcement and child protective services leads to increased rates of confession and prosecution,” Hagen said.
The multi-disciplinary team utilizes special resources to minimize the trauma to a child and ensure that they feel supported by the adults in the interview process. The process begins when the law enforcement agency or Child Protective Services hears a complaint. The law enforcement agency, and CPS if the incident involves a family member, begin a joint investigation, and call Catholic Charities for use of the child interview room. The facility is set up with a private entrance in the back of the building, so the child does not have to be exposed to the public.
A child-friendly waiting room is set up near the back of the building, and a child advocate is available to help with any types of services that are needed. A special child-friendly interview room is equipped with state-of-the-art video and audio equipment. Hagen explained that when multiple agencies are involved, they generally decide amongst themselves who will ask the questions and one person communicates with the child. Additional parties can watch from the adjacent video room, where they can control the cameras, and speak with the interviewer through an ear piece.
“We tape the interviews so the child doesn’t have to repeat their story several times. They’re more relaxed, and there is a greater possibility of disclosure,” Hagen said.
Director of the Crime Victims Program, Daniel Auwarter, explained that those involved with the process utilize the forensic best practice interview technique, which ensures a more uniform statement regardless of who is interviewing the child.
“By using our trained investigators, experienced with interagency needs and requirements, the quality of our investigative interviews has improved. A coordinated intervention process reduces the number of investigative interviews of the alleged victim. This decreases the amount of system-imposed trauma on the child and their non-offending family members,” Hagen said.
“This center is a huge step in coming on line with being able to effectively investigate these types of cases,” said Auwarter. “A big emphasis is on making sure the victims are helped and not as traumatized.”
The multi-disciplinary team has been utilizing the room since it was first opened approximately 18 months ago. According to Catholic Charities Executive Director Jane Coddington, the Memorandum of Understanding just cements the practices that were already in use. “The spirit of cooperation was always there. This just formalizes it,” she said.