Child Abuse Counselors Use New Approach With Victims

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by Kirk Hawkins
Bio | Email | Follow: @kirkhawkins

Story Created: Jul 11, 2012 at 10:55 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 11, 2012 at 11:23 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--There's a troubling increase in child abuse cases in the Charlotte area.

United Family Services says it has already seen a 20-percent increase in cases this year.

"The first thing that went through my mind really was oh my god," said the mother of a sexual abuse victim. Fox Charlotte concealed her identity becuase of the sensitivity of the case.

"You have a three year old telling you things that a three year  old should never know," she said.

Her daughter was one of the first to be treated with a new approach called Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

It has helped counselors at The Tree House Children's Advocacy Center deal more effectively with the increase in child abuse cases.

"Sometimes there's a lot of guilt, a lot of self blame and this model works with them to put words to those emotions," said Ashley Lance, the Victim's Services Coordinator.

The victim's mother says that process has allowed her to move forward.

"Coming here was a safe haven for me and my daughter to talk
about things and to work it out to a point where we could
get on with our daily lives," she said.

There are Children's Advocacy Centers in both Mecklenburg and Union
Counties.

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