Fighting Child Abuse: Partnership Shares Stories with RCB Bank Family

20 Nov Fighting Child Abuse: Partnership Shares Stories with RCB Bank Family

Employee Meeting at RCB Bank, Claremore

RCB Bank in Claremore invited the staff of the William W. Barnes Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) and members of District Attorney Matt Ballard’s team to speak to employees about combating child abuse in the community.

The visit coincides with the local United Way’s annual fundraising campaign.  The Children’s Advocacy Center receives vital financial supported from the United Way along with 21 other helping agencies in Rogers County.

Advocacy Center Executive Director Holly Webb shared how the CAC reduces trauma to children who have been victimized sexually or physically because the victim only has to tell their story once to an interviewer trained specifically to ask non-leading questions while making the child feel safe.  That interview is recorded and can be utilized by police, prosecutors and child welfare workers.  Center Family Advocate Kelly Oxford shared how the center also provides medical exams when needed, counseling and support for the guardians of victims.

SVU prosecutor Kali Strain shared how the CAC supports victims so they can successfully participate in bringing their abuser to justice while healing from the trauma.

District Attorney Ballard’s victim services coordinator Michlle Lowry brought Therapy Dog Sugar Bear to explain how support animals help calm and love kids through the criminal justice process.

Kali Strain, Michelle Lowry, Holly Webb, Kelly Oxford, Toby Miles

Last year the CAC served more than 350 abused children from Craig, Mayes and Rogers Counties.

Bear provided some snuggles for RCB Bank staff to start off the day.