Agenda - 02-03-1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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N GRANT PRE - APPLICATION Page 2 THE PROBLEM Begin below, add one continuation page if necessary. The overall problem addressed in this project is lack of sufficient services for specific populations of sexual violence victims. The problem is both specific to the populations and to the system of care in Orange County. With regard to child and adolescent sexual abuse victims, it is estimated the. 1 out of every 4 girls and 1 out of every 6 -8 boys are sexually victimized prior to reaching adulthood. However, state, national, and local data concur that probably less than 10% of these victimizations are ever reported. Data also show that child /adolescent sexual abuse is closely linked to adolescent pregnancy, adolescent drug and alcohol abuse, truancy, dropping out of school, running away from home, suicide, and a host of other problems plaguing youth. The necessary components of recovery from child sexual victimization include both short -term crisis intervention and longer term therapeutic intervention. However, both the availability and accessibility of these services are limited, and when available and accessible, it is often difficult to find therapists who are adequately prepared to work with sexual violence victims. The Orange County Rape Crisis Center (OCRC0 collects information each year on sexual assaults reported in Orange County. Data from the past 5 years (1987 -1991) show that 25 percent of all victims in those reported assaults are between the ages of 11 and 20. In another 4% of reports during those years victims were 10 years of age or younger. One of the major ports of entry into the system of care in Orange County and actually for a large portion of North Carolina is through the Friday morning Child Medical Evaluation Clinic at 1JNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. Referrals are made to this Clinic of children who are suspected to have been physically and /or sexually abused. In the Clinic these children receive a medical exam and evidence of abuse is collected. A pediatric physician - nurse - social work team conducts the evaluation. However, no one provides support or information to the children or parents of the children who come to that Clinic, despite the fact that the Clinic has been in operation for many years at this location. The Clinic operates from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Often families are there for many hours waiting for their appointments, Often siblings of the abused children are also present. These children and parents are in dire need of information regarding the Clinic, emotional support during their time there, and referrals for other medical services. They also often need information about child sexual abuse and the recovery from such abuse. The Clinic staff have requested OCRCC provide on -site support during Clinic hours, but lack of funding has to -date precluded meeting their request. In Orange County there are currently no support groups for adolescent victims of child sexual abuse. In fact, there have never been any such groups offered within the county. Yet, such teenagers, as shown by the above numbers, constitute a significant portion of the reported sexual violence victims and are at extremely high risk for both physical and emotional problems (drug /alcohol abuse, suicide, pregnancy, etc.). Adolescent victims meanwhile face the same sense of isolation in their pain as do adult incest survivors, for whom support groups are available. To assist you in completing this section please refer to the instructions