Take a moment and imagine yourself as a 6-year-old who has reached out to your teacher to tell that an adult in your life has been hurting you. You have been told through personal safety programs in your school that if you have a problem, you can talk to an adult you trust and get the help you need.

The grown up who has been hurting you is someone you trusted who said they loved you. They said that you shouldn't tell anyone about what they were doing and that you would be in big trouble if you told. They said that people would know that it was your fault and that you would be taken away from your family if you told.

But you want the hurt to stop. The woman who came to the classroom to talk about being safe said it would be OK if you told. You gather all your 6-year-old courage and the little trust you have left in adults and tell.

Now what will happen to you? Currently the typical response to a child being abused by a family member or care giver would be for the child to be interviewed by a Child Protective Service worker and a member of law enforcement.

The child might have to go to health care providers at the hospital or private physician where there might be more questions. The child might again need to be questioned as legal proceedings progress.

You, as a 6-year-old, might start to think that people keep asking you questions because they don't believe you, or that they think that it is your fault. You are afraid. The CPS worker, the person from law enforcement and the medical people are all very kind, but you are tired of telling your story. You just want this to be over. You are afraid that the warnings about you being taken away from those you love are true. And that maybe the person who hurt you was right, maybe you shouldn't have told.

You, like many children, might decide to recant and say it really didn't happen, just to have people stop asking you questions that bring up the fear, sadness and pain you feel.

In Cayuga County, the Child Sexual Abuse Task Force has been working to make sure that you, and other children like you, will be OK and not further traumatized by “the system.”

The idea of creating a Child Advocacy Center has been a focal point for members of this committee which includes representatives from Child Protective Services, State Police, Sheriff Gould, the Auburn Police Department, the District Attorney's office, Auburn Memorial Hospital, Auburn schools, Probation, Parole, Mental Health, SAVAR of Cayuga Counseling Service and those from service agencies who collaborate as needed with the committee.

And what exactly is a Child Advocacy Center? It is a safe, calm, friendly place that is child centered. All those who are needed to meet the needs of a child who has been abused will be available so that a child does not have to go from one imposing building to another.

With the help of modern technology, the necessary interview will be done in a child-friendly atmosphere with one person, trained to interview children.

Others who need the information will have access to the interviewer if there is a need for clarification. They will be able to witness the interview without making themselves evident or intimidating to the child. In other words, the child will not have to go through multiple interviews which often result in the child “closing up” or feeling that no one is really listening. Medical services can be provided in this same comfortable setting that takes into account the needs of a child.

Currently, members of the task force are working to find a place to have the Child Advocacy Center. Grant money will be coming from the state in August to begin work on a center, but the committee has been advised that they should look for a donated building or site in which to house the advocacy center.

If you, as a community member, are aware of a building or site which could be donated for this worthwhile project, you may contact Rhonda Zahn or Linda Murphy at Cayuga Counseling Services Inc. at 253-9795.

Luckily the members of the Child Sexual Assault Task Force work well together and are committed to having a Child Advocacy Center which will provide a comprehensive approach to working with children who have been abused. The ideal of having a multidisciplinary team working together in a child friendly setting is a goal that can be accomplished in this county.

It is also helpful that Congressman Michael Acuri has dedicated himself to this project. As a former district attorney, he is aware how beneficial a Child Advocacy Center can be for children and for meeting the challenge of removing pedophiles from our communities.

The statistics tell us that we need to work together to help our children. In 2006, SAVAR of Cayuga Counseling Services provided a hotline, advocacy and crisis therapy to 225 children and youth and provided counseling for 95 children who had been victims of sexual abuse or assault.

But there are more children who need our help. They need a team of dedicated, trained individuals who can ensure that their healing begins as they cross the threshold of the Child Advocacy Center. By March of 2008, we as a community working together can accomplish that goal.

Rosa Grube is an education coordinator for SAVAR of Cayuga Counseling Services.