Child advocacy center makes slight name change, unveils new logo on 20th anniversary

On its 20-year anniversary of assisting child victims of abuse and neglect, the Edmondson-Telford Center for Children changed its name to better represent its work.

 

The center in Gainesville is now known as the Edmondson Telford Child Advocacy Center.

 

Reflecting on the mission, Executive Director Heather Hayes said she often hears from parents whose children went through the center.

 

"One of the more recent times someone has said that to me stopped me in my tracks, because I said, 'I'm sorry, I hope it was a good experience,' and she said, 'don't be sorry, that's where the pain ended, and the healing started,'" Hayes said at an anniversary celebration Thursday.

 

Lydia Sartain, a founding member of the center and former Hall County District Attorney, said before it opened, child abuse victims went through an arduous process during investigations.

 

"They're having to tell everybody the same story over and over, and we said, 'you know, probably that might not be the best way to do that for the children,'" Sartain said.

 

Among other things, child victims are now interviewed by certified forensic interviewers in the comfortable environment of the center.  The interviews are recorded on video, avoiding multiple investigative conversations with the victim, including court testimony.

 

Hall County Superior Court Judge Jason Deal said those interviews are good for the entire process.

 

"It protects lots of folks.  For those who might be wrongly under suspicion, a forensic interview is a great tool, because it helps clarify that they didn't do anything, and so we don't go down that path.  And it protects the child because it reduces the trauma for the child.  They don't have to tell 50 people."

 

The center also provides forensic medical exams, crisis intervention and emotional support for victims, according to its website.  

 

In addition to the name change, the center also unveiled its new logo on Thursday.