Facility puts children first

It’s one of those places we really wish wasn’t there. Not because it isn’t important, but because we wish it didn’t need to be there.

But it does.

The Children’s Place recently broke ground on an addition in Wasilla. The expansion will allow a place to house the Alaska State Troopers’ child abuse investigation team. The trooper contingent will work out of the Wasilla facility, which is also adding some offices, a conference room, a place for communications equipment and a bathroom.

The Children’s Place opened in 1999 in response to the need for a place for traumatized children to be interviewed in an environment that was more child-friendly than a trooper post. Personnel from many advocacy agencies meet there to investigate possible child abuse.

While it is the kind of place we’d like to see padlocked for lack of use, the fact is that the Southcentral region has reported from about 450 to nearly 600 victims of substantiated allegations of abuse for each of the last four years.

While the bricks-and-mortar solution to the problem is important, abuse of children is a people problem that cannot be simply solved with a new addition.

The Children’s Place and the Frontiersman reminds all parents and grandparents:

1. Be aware of your child’s environment.

Do you know the people with whom your child spends time? How well do you know caregivers, friends, even relatives and your dates?

2. Develop a good talking relationship with your child.

Do your children know they can come to you with information even when someone tells them not to tell? Do they know you will love them no matter what they’ve done or been asked to do?

3. Teach your children about personal safety.

Make sure your child knows about safe touching. Touching should be treated as matter of factly as any safety issue, like crossing the street, water safety or biking safety.

4. Stress the “No … Go … Tell …” strategy with your child.

Remind them no one has the right to touch them inappropriately. Say “no” and get away from that person. They should tell trusted adults and keeping telling until someone listens.

Someday, we’d like to see the newly expanded The Children’s Place become just a fun place for kids. Until that day comes, we’re glad it is a place for professionals to work together to help abused children and try to safeguard all kids.