Liberty House asks for help to protect local kids

Liberty House gives local children a safe place to talk about unspeakable abuse and neglect and offers them freedom from their secrets.

One little girl felt so light after she shared her story she twirled out of the office. But the small building isn't big enough to serve all the children who need help, said Chief Executive Officer Alison Kelley. Marion and Polk counties have about 1,200 confirmed cases of abuse and neglect each year. Liberty House, the area's only child abuse assessment center, can evaluate about 360 children a year. The rest are interviewed by police or case workers sometimes at the scene with perpetrators nearby.

"It gets problematic in a 10-by-8 foot room in an apartment when the suspect might be in the next room," said Salem Police Deputy Chief Jim Ferraris. "An assessment center is best practice to hold such an interview."

The biggest barrier is space, Kelley said. Liberty House hopes to raise $1.5 million in 60 days to buy the building next door and nearly double its capacity to protect children.

"We've got an emergency on our hands," Kelley said. "Children are being abused in ways that are tragic and appalling. We stop that and help them live the life they want."

Currently Liberty House has one exam room and waiting area so professionals can only serve one family at a time. Appointments are booked out so far ahead that Liberty House can't see acute cases that need immediate attention.

It also doesn't have the space to evaluate children with suspicious injuries for signs of abuse. By law those children need to be evaluated within 48 hours, but now others do those assessments even though they might not be experts, Kelley said.

She hopes to move administrative staff to the new building and remodel the existing one to add two more exam and waiting rooms, boosting the assessment center's capacity to 600 children a year immediately.

The new building would also include room for local partners to better serve the families and children. For example law enforcement might have a detective on site to observe interviews, answer questions and work quickly to protect children. Officers might also have a space to interview kids in a safe, comfortable, neutral setting.

The setting makes a difference, said Deputy Chief Ferraris. Children relax when they see soft colors, comfortable furniture and toys to play with.

"We want children, especially child witnesses, to relax because that's how we're going to get the best evidence to protect them."

For example one four-year-old boy was the only witness in his brother's death, and police had to ask him about his stepfather. Now imagine that conversation in the back of a patrol car or at the police station.

Counseling is also critical for children who experience abuse and neglect, Kelley said, so she will invite mental health professionals to the space so families can better access those services in the future.

"We want kids to be healthy and safe," Kelley said. "That's why the campaign. That's our goal."

sknowlto@StatesmanJournal. com or (503) 399-6735

Liberty House

The child abuse assessment center provides a safe place to interview kids who might have been abused or neglected and helps them get the services they need. The nonprofit launched a capital campaign this month to raise $1.5 million to buy the building next door and nearly double its capacity to serve kids. For more information go to www.libertyhousecenter.org/ or call (503) 540-0288. The nonprofit will also host Champions For Children Luncheon noon Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial St. SE.