The Children’s Justice Center is a homelike facility which serves children and families who are experiencing the crisis and chaos that comes with the disclosure of significant physical or sexual abuse of a child. The Center is designed to help children feel safe and comfortable so that they may begin to deal with the difficult and often frightening issues that surround abuse.

Traditionally, Investigation of child abuse required multiple interviews of the child victim by the police, social services, medical personnel, psychologists and attorneys. Each interview occurred at a different place and rarely in a setting that was familiar or comfortable for the child. The Children’s Justice Center is place for the child with a homelike environment, where the necessary interviews can occur in an atmosphere that is non-threatening to the child.

The goal is to produce a comprehensive response in exploring allegations, to provide recommendations to parents regarding the safety or treatment needs of the child, and to stabilize the crisis often experienced by the family.

The Washington County Children's Justice Center staff is available to answer questions regarding alleged abuse, the legal system, and prevention information.