If you suspect child sexual abuse or would like information on the prevention of child sexual abuse, call the Orlowitz-Lee Children's Advocacy Center.

• 305- 547-6800
• 305- 547-6814 Fax
• E-mail Kristi House at krisi@kristihouse.org

All services at Kristi House, Inc. and the Orlowitz-Lee Children's Advocacy Center are free of charge. Call the OLCAC for information, referral or crisis intervention. The Center is here to protect and assist child victims.

Suspected child abuse or neglect should be reported.
24-hour Florida Abuse Hotline Information System:

• 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
• Or contact your local Law Enforcement Agency
  
  

There are almost 18,000 reports of child sexual abuse reported in the state of Florida each year. In Miami-Dade County alone, there are more than 2,000 reports. Parents and relatives often react with shock and disbelief that such abuse could happen in their family. Sadly, it can happen in any family, regardless of income, education, culture or race.

The trauma inflicted on the sexually abused child and his/her family can be devastating. It often tears families apart and leaves children scared, hurt and confused. In the midst of the pain, the child must recount, over and over again, the traumatic details of the assault in interviews with various social, legal and law enforcement agencies. Kristi House exists to alleviate this hurt while helping the child and family heal.

Kristi House recently opened a special place, the Orlowitz-Lee Children's Advocacy Center, to offer comfort to those suffering from the trauma of victimization, family upheaval and public disclosure. Instead of subjecting children to numerous interviews at different offices around town, Kristi House has assembled the relevant law enforcement, child protective, medical, legal and mental health agencies under one roof in a child-friendly setting to help these young victims. Designed to resemble a welcoming home, the Center provides highly effective case coordination, case tracking, therapy and referral services for children in a comforting atmosphere.

The following agencies and services can be accessed at the Orlowitz-Lee Children's Advocacy Center.

Kristi House provides:

• Case Coordination - to communicate with agencies involved in child sexual abuse to help better understand the investigation and treatment processes.
• Therapy - to provide individual, group and family therapy services to child victims and their families.
• Referral Services - to assist families in securing therapy and other services across the full spectrum of available community resources.
• Transportation - to eliminate barriers to treatment for families.
• Education and Training - to increase awareness and knowledge regarding the problem of sexual abuse in Miami-Dade County through professional, community and school presentations, and media campaigns.
• Child Victim Rapid Response Program - to provide educational programs within Miami-Dade County Public Schools and provide follow-up services to at-risk children.

State Attorney's Office Children's and Special Needs Unit provides:

Videotaped forensic interviews to gather evidence and reduce the number of court appearances made by a child.

State Attorney's Office Sexual Battery Unit is, responsible for:

The prosecution of offenders, including depositions, prefile conferences and other meetings related to prosecution decisions.

Visiting Agencies include:

• The Guardian Ad Litem program
• Local law enforcement agencies
• The Department of Children & Families
• University of Miami Child Protection Team

Child abuse is a community problem. We must work together in order to reduce the prevalence of abuse in our community. You can help Kristi House and the Orlowitz-Lee Children's Advocacy Center continue to provide quality services to children by volunteering to be an:

• Office Volunteer - assist office staff with clerical tasks, such as filing, typing and mailings.
• Child Volunteer - accompanying children in the playroom while they wait for interview and therapy appointments.
• Events Planner - assist with planning of annual events as well as serve at the events.
• Fundraiser - the Center relies on financial support from foundations, corporations, community organizations and individuals. Volunteers are needed to reach out into the community and inform others about the work of the Center.