Tulsa Leaders Renew Commitment To Stop Child Abuse

By Dan Bewley, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Child abuse investigators say it's critical the state finds money to help protect children. They say important services that put child abusers in jail are on the verge of being cut.

But despite the challenge, Tulsa leaders are moving forward to try and put a stop to child abuse.

The Children's Advocacy Center prides itself on taking care of Tulsa's youngest crime victims. It's a place where children are surrounded by care and love.

But it's also a place that's seeing more and more cases of child abuse. Last month set a sad record with 207 new cases of suspected child abuse or neglect.

On Wednesday, the center and local law enforcement agencies renewed an 11 year commitment to work together to seek justice for Tulsa children.

"Before we had this center children were taken across town, met with various agencies, and really the system served to re-traumatize children," Barbara Findeiss, Child Abuse Network, said.

The center acts as a one-size-fits-all for agencies investigating child abuse. Kids can get medical attention here and be interviewed by specialists. The interviews are recorded and the other agencies can use the recording instead of the child being forced to go through several rounds of questions.

"We make investigations much shorter, in terms of the time that families and children need to be talking to investigators," Findeiss said.

Barbara Findeiss, the Child Abuse Network Executive Director, says budget cuts are having a major impact on the center. She's already lost two detectives because of cuts in the Tulsa Police Department. DHS is expected to implement furloughs and the state is considering a cut that would eliminate 50% of her budget

Tulsa County D.A. Tim Harris says the center plays a major role in community and hopes citizens tell lawmakers to make sure it has enough money.

"We need the community support so that we can continue on with our goal of protecting children, prosecuting those people that would abuse children, and bringing justice to the community," Harris said.

The building that houses the justice center is currently for sale. The Child Abuse Network is interested in buying it but a recent ruling from the Oklahoma Supreme Court makes that very difficult. Organizers say legislators need to change a law that would re-establish funding.