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Juan’s Story

Juan, age 5, lived in an apartment in Nassau County with his family. He was new to Nassau County and as school did not start until the fall, did not have friends in the area. However, Juan became fast friends with the neighbor’s son, Michael, who was the same age as Juan. They frequently went over to the other’s apartment to play Legos and video games. Juan’s parents were grateful for this friendship and were happy to have Juan go to Michael’s.

Michael had a 15-year-old brother, Steven, who would also spend time with Juan when he came over. Steven would also supervise Juan and Michael when Michael and Steven’s father was not home. He seemed to take a strong interest in Juan and would often ask Juan’s parents when Juan was coming over next.

Despite what was initially a very positive relationship between the two families, over time Juan seemed to become more and more withdrawn and wanted to go over to Michael’s less and less. When his parents would ask if he was ok, Juan would simply shrug and was reluctant to say anything more. As time went on, things got worse. Juan no longer wanted to go outside and play and would constantly look outside the window but would not tell his parents what he was looking for. The parents were concerned, but Juan didn’t tell them anything was amiss.

After several months, Juan began having difficulty sitting down and going to the bathroom. He reported these pains to his parents. When his parents followed up and asked Juan about the pain, Juan disclosed ongoing abuse by Steven.

90% of abusers are known to their victims prior to the abuse. Most victims of abuse don’t tell right away. Delayed disclosure is common, and many victims don’t disclose into adulthood.

Following his disclosure, Juan’s parents immediately brought him to the Emergency Department at the Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) and told them about Juan’s abuse. The Emergency Department sent Juan and his family to the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) program at NUMC. The nurses through this program have specialized training in identifying indicators of sexual abuse. They conducted an initial sexual assault exam.

Pursuant to Nassau County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) protocols, the SAFE program contacted the CAC’s Child Victim Advocate program and an Advocate responded to the hospital. Advocates provide support to the family, guide them through the CAC process and answer any questions they have. As the parents were primarily Spanish-speaking, the assigned Advocate was bilingual to ensure that each step of the process was explained in their primary language.

The SAFE program also informed law enforcement professionals of the abuse. Through Nassau County Police Department protocol, these cases are assigned to the Special Victims Squad (SVS), a specialized unit with advanced training in responding to the sexual and physical abuse of children. They spoke to the family to ensure that Juan was safe and in coordination with the Advocate scheduled an appointment for Juan and his family to come to the CAC the following day.

The next day the family came to the CAC, a child-friendly space that houses the Child Victim Advocate Program and SVS. The Advocate and SVS Detective met with Safe Center’s Bilingual Forensic Interviewer and an Assistant District Attorney to discuss the details of the case. They met briefly with the family to answer any questions they might have and then began the forensic interview with Juan.

A Forensic Interview is a developmentally appropriate conversation with a child regarding an allegation of abuse. The interviewer introduces him/herself to the child and following an initial rapport-building stage, the interviewer utilizes non-leading questions to explore the alleged abuse with the child. Conducting the interview in this manner ensures that the team receives the best possible information directly from the child and supports the follow-up investigation and prosecution, where appropriate.

During the interview, Juan disclosed ongoing abuse by Steven. The information provided by Juan resulted in an arrest and Juvenile Delinquent prosecution through Family Court.

To ensure that there was no lasting physiological effects from the abuse, Juan was referred for a follow-up medical with the pediatrician through NUMC’s Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) program. This pediatrician is on-site at the CAC and has specialized training in conducting medical exams pursuant to abuse allegations and assessing these findings.

On the day of the exam the Advocate again met with Juan and his mother at the center and explained the exam process. Juan was nervous about the medical, but grateful that a familiar face in his Advocate was there to greet and support him. She explained that the exam is non-invasive and that the pediatrician would tell him everything that was going to happen before she did it. Juan felt more comfortable and was glad his Advocate would be with him.

Because of the proximity of the abuser’s family, immediately following the interview, the relocation of Juan’s family became a primary objective for the Advocate. She sought housing options and legal advice through The Safe Center’s Legal Department regarding landlord/tenant law. Because of the Advocate’s assistance, Juan’s parents were able to find another place for Juan to call home and feel safe.

The Advocate also made counseling referrals to The Safe Center’s Children’s Mental Health Program and Juan was enrolled in individual counseling and Project Kidz Talk (PKT). PKT is a unique group at The Safe Center for abuse victims and their parents that helps lessen the isolation and shame that children and families often feel in the aftermath of abuse. By putting the family in a group with other families who have experienced abuse it fosters peer support and normalizes the family’s experience. The group also assists families with how to talk to their child in the aftermath of abuse, helping ensure families emerge from abuse stronger and healthier.

Child abuse is something that affects the whole family unit, and PKT affords caregivers an opportunity to discuss their reactions to the abuse of their child. During PKT, Juan’s father discussed his confusion about why Juan would continue to go over to Michael’s apartment and why he didn’t disclose right away. Through PKT, Juan was able to tell his father that Steven threatened to hurt Juan’s mother if he ever told anyone.

Sex abuse perpetrators use “grooming” techniques and often utilize threats of physical violence to discourage victims from telling about abuse.

The Advocate also assisted Juan’s mother in petitioning for a U-Visa as a victim of a crime. Throughout the process the Advocate was in constant contact with Juan’s parents, providing them updates from the ADA and other team members.

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