Foster Parenting in Nebraska: The Victim's Advocate Project

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Recommended: negative effects experienced by victims of child abuse

Having previously been a foster parent here in Nebraska, I knew immediately where I wanted get my information for this Victim's Advocate Project. Having worked directly with the Child Advocacy Center in Lincoln with some of my former foster children, I was happy to get into contact with its executive director, Lynn Ayers. Lynn has been working in victim's advocacy, particularly as a children and family advocate for over 36 years, and has a wealth of knowledge on the subject. In her time in this field, she has seen a variety of cases and was more than happy to respond to my request for an interview via e-mail correspondence.
The Child Advocacy Center is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is a non-profit organization providing a safe, child-friendly location for conducting forensic interviews and medical evaluations for abused children in Southeast Nebraska (Overview, Child Advocacy Center). In recent years, the center has created satellite offices in both York and Nebraska City. The work of the Child Advocacy Center is funded both by private, goodwill donations and public grants. According to Ms. Ayers, the Child Advocacy Center's finances are comprised of one-third government contracts, one-third monies from grants and foundations, and the final third is made up of individual, corporate and community groups' direct donations. The final third also includes special fundraising events put on especially for the center.
The Child Advocacy Center is equipped with direct support employees all having at least a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, human services, criminal justice, or another related field. The role of an advocate is to provide immediate and ongoing support for the child-victim, as well as their non-off...

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...ld be foolish to think that even the best advocates don't have bad or hard days. After my interview with Lynn, I do feel that I could be successful in a career as a child-victim advocate. My education in combination with my own experiences lead me to believe that I can help change a situation for a child who is being victimized. Hearing about Lynn's former co-worker Debbe inspires me also, as I am also a survivor of child sexual abuse. Sometimes in the past I have wondered if having experienced it and disclosing that information to places I would like to work would discredit me. Learning about Debbe and her ability to connect with current victims has empowered me to believe that I can make this kind of a difference as well.

References

Overview. (n.d.). Child Advocacy Center : Who We Are :. Retrieved April 8, 2014, from http://www.smvoices.org/who_we_are/

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