WVCAN

In the wake of sexual abuse cases coming to light, I’d like to offer my personal story. Before you jump to any conclusions about why my family let him come around me, or tell me there is no way you would let your children around a man like this, I should explain my family. I want people to know just because someone doesn’t report abuse the moment after it happens doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken seriously. Help inspire hope for survivors of child sexual abuse like Jay and make a contribution to the #SHINE campaign today.

When you can assist in a child’s crime – it’s satisfying to solve a sexual assault case. It’s like rolling a dice – once you get a case and request video surveillance, etc., do you interview the suspect now or wait until you get the information back? It’s a lot of pressure to get as much evidence as you can so the child doesn’t have to get on the stand at trial. What’s the best thing about working as a multidisciplinary team on child abuse investigations?

Each week through the end of the year, we’ll be highlighting a different team member – CAC staff or allied professional working with a center – who is a hero to us and the kids they serve. Britt is the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in the Greenbrier County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and a team member of the Child and Youth Advocacy Center serving Greenbrier, Monroe, and Pocahontas Counties. She has been an attorney for 25 years, and have been a prosecuting attorney for 5+ years. When a six-year-old child in our county died at the hands of his caregiver but not in an obvious way, multiple disciplines came together to solve the child’s murder, and ultimately resulted in a jury trial and conviction of the caregiver for child abuse resulting in death.

In my former role as a Child Protective Services Supervisor at the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, I found a lack of resources that were available to children and families in southern West Virginia, particularly in Boone County, that put them at risk for harm. In response to this need and to minister to my community per Isaiah 61:1-3, I resigned from my job to finish the internship for my Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and founded Cornerstone Family Interventions. What’s the best thing about working as a multidisciplinary team on child abuse investigations? If one team member has information, and they’re not sharing with the others, then there’s a likelihood that child’s case will not move forward.