School: University of Georgia School of Law

Participation in the Emory Child Advocacy Summer Program has reinforced my desire to continue in the field of child advocacy. Georgia's children have a continuing need for informed, passionate advocates.

My internship began at the Golden Isles Children's Advocacy Center (GICAC) where I observed interviews and established standardized documentation. Because the GICAC provided limited legal opportunities, I spent the majority of my internship with the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office. There I had the opportunity to review and make recommendations on open cases involving crimes against children, to conduct research on evidentiary issues and criminal charges associated with child abuse, and to observe and participate in court proceedings relating to child advocacy.

Over the course of the summer I found inter-agency cooperation to be a determinative factor in the success of child advocacy. Every agency concerned with child abuse is operated for a discreet purpose and is limited by distinctive constraints. Only through inter-agency communication can a comprehensive assessment of the situation be acquired and appropriate resolutions be designed and implemented. The multi-disciplinary team (MDT) model, employed by many child advocacy centers, was designed to facilitate such cooperation. Unfortunately I did not witness effective inter-agency cooperation in the Golden Isles area among the GICAC, law enforcement departments, DFACS, the DA's Office, the SAAG, health care providers, mental health providers and the school system.

Inter-agency communication is especially important in cases of intra-familial child abuse. DFCS and juvenile deprivation courts, with a preponderance of the evidence standard, are able to ensure the immediate safety of children through court-ordered safety plans and custodial arrangements. At the same time, law enforcement and criminal courts, with a standard of beyond a reasonable doubt, can be involved in the more protracted process of protecting and vindicating society. Children are best served when both processes are employed, therefore caseloads of the two agencies should be cross-referenced.

Despite the recommendations of the county child abuse protocol, investigating agents often conduct independent interviews before, after or in place of advocacy center interviews. Steps should be taken to educate agencies about the benefits of forensic interviews conducted according to the Finding Words model, which has been calculated to minimize trauma to children and to enhance the accuracy, admissibility and persuasiveness of statements.

There are individuals who have accepted the responsibility of advocating for abused children in the Golden Isles area. I hope that as a result of my internship coordination among these individuals will improve and the efficiency and effectiveness of their efforts can be enhanced.