With nine days left in the United Way’s yearly fundraising campaign, the nonprofit is about $400 thousand short of its goal. If more money is not donated, the United Way may be forced to run next year’s effort on 75 percent of its budget needs, meaning needy local children may not get as much help from local agencies that depend on United Way backing.Sexual abuse of children is a crime usually committed in homes, behind closed doors, and is often shrouded from the public by the guilt and shame that burdens the consciences of young victims, making them afraid to ask for help.
Because of the nature of the crime, the number of children abused in Calhoun County is unknown, although the Calhoun-Cleburne Children’s Center’s workload suggests the problem is severe.
The center counseled 400 children last year, ages 2 to 18, who have been sexually victimized, usually by a male family member. The children come to the center because of the efforts of law enforcement, the Department of Human Resources and the district attorney’s office, and are provided with a safe environment to work through their pain.
Located in an old Victorian house in Anniston, children are welcomed into a place that feels like a home, with teddy bears and soft sofas. This set-up, said Children’s Center director, Greg Cole, puts children at ease, whereas children who are taken to the police department to file reports often become even more frightened. Many child sex offenders warn their victims not to speak about it, “or you’re gonna go to jail,” Cole said.
But at the warm, cozy house, those lies are revealed by trained counselors who help children recover from their emotional wounds and stolen innocence.
“If a child abuse victim does not receive help,” Cole said. “It’s almost never OK. A lot of children are destroyed.”
Not only does the center help abused children, it seeks to protect the sons and daughters of coming generations.
“Many children who are molested grow up to molest their own children,” Cole said. “We hope to break the cycle and stop the chain.”
The counseling the center provides is free and usually provides three or four sessions for each child. The children come to the center afraid and ashamed, but leave with a more renewed self-worth.
Children usually are abused by older males: “a mom’s boyfriend, a stepdad, grandfather, uncle, minister, police officer,” Cole said. “Nobody’s exempt.
“It makes them (victims) feel dirty,” he said. “Like they’ve done something bad. Some children don’t ever get over it. This gives them a chance.”
The Children’s Center’s six person staff has been operating on a smaller budget than last year and has not raised enough money to cover its needs for 2003. Part of the funding comes from the United Way, which also is facing fundraising troubles. The struggling economy has hurt donations, but the needs persist.
“With so many people looking at their retirement accounts diminishing every day, it’s difficult for them to be philanthropic,” said Rodney Greenwood, executive director of the United Way.
The impact, Greenwood said, “would be that we’d have to reduce funding” of local organizations, possibly including the Calhoun-Cleburne Children’s Center.
Here’s how to help
Donations to the United Way may be mailed to 1505 Wilmer Ave., P.O. Box 1122, Anniston, AL 36202. Or call 236-8229. Or visit www.uweca.org.
