Child Advocacy Center provides critical services amid growing child abuse cases

Written By Apo July 25, 2025 Add Comment

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Child abuse is a growing problem, according to advocates at the River Valley Child Advocacy Center in Russellville. Center officials report they've already seen about 300 children this year.

Marilyn Sanders, Executive Director for the RVCAC, says since the center started in March 2018, they've helped over 2,000 children under 18 in abuse cases. That number includes cases in Pope, Yell, Johnson, and Franklin counties, and assistance with Logan County.

Last year, the center helped over 400 children, a number Sanders says increases every year.

“This year alone, we're only halfway through the year; we have seen over 300 kids already,” Sanders said.

She noted there are over 900 child advocacy centers in the nation, and 18 centers with 32 locations in Arkansas.

This month, a 7-year-old boy was hospitalized weighing just 28 pounds. A spokesperson said the abuse at the home was a case of “physical and mental torture.”

A department spokesperson said 39-year-old Chris Freeman and 27-year-old Katelyn Freeman are currently held in the Pope County Detention Center, facing charges of battery in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a minor. The investigation remains ongoing, officials said, which may lead to further charges against the pair.

Police say two other children were taken from that home and are now in Department of Human Services (DHS) custody. Sanders said the RVCAC provided forensic interviews and advocacy for those two children since the oldest was in the hospital.

“There was a lot of information and they're only 3 and 5-years-old. We needed and had someone to talk to that is trained to talk to a 3 and 5-year-old in a place that wasn't scary and that was child friendly,” she said.

Sanders said that in addition to forensic interviews, the center has trained interviewers, specialized nurses, and therapists.

“One of the most heartbreaking things for our advocates is having to understand how a parent could not believe their child.” Sanders added, “People don't understand and they need open their eyes to the amount of child abuse that is out there.”

She stated that the majority of their cases involve sexual abuse, and 90% of the children know their abuser.

“It happens under their nose, kids don't always tell, offenders are smart, they know how to groom these kids. They're grooming the caregiver as much as the children because that's how they get away with it,” Sanders said.

Sanders said that since the case involving the 7-year-old boy, people have reached out to see how they can help. She stated the best way to help is to donate, as all services provided to children and families are free. Donations are necessary to continue meeting the need.

“The majority of the cases we see you don't see in the news because of confidentiality. So having monthly donors that can help provide support for the kids we see now and after can help because without our services they won't be able to get the correct services,” she said.

from KARK https://ift.tt/gWfkoby