Article Contributed on: 8/2/2009 4:31:08 PM
Added Lakewood site provides more room for families
Child sexual abuse cases not decreasing, awareness is
Don Moseley may work in one of the few fields that welcome a decrease in clients.
As executive director of Ralston House, a child advocacy center in Arvada, he said the nonprofit served 600 children last year and may help more than 700 this year.
Established in 1990, Ralston House assists in the investigative process of child sexual abuse cases. Other than Children's Hospital in Aurora, it is the only center in the metro area to provide pediatric forensic medical exams.
Forensic interviewers and therapists collect evidence and help children undergo the sensitive process of divulging their abuse and work with law enforcement to hold offenders accountable.
Moseley said local statistics parallel the national statistics of one in four girls molested by the time they reach 18 and one in six boys.
In February, the center boosted its sorely needed space by adding a small house in Lakewood where families come for interviews. The center is waiting for one more piece of equipment before it will be able to perform medical exams at the second site.
Ralston House receives in-kind support from the cities of Arvada and Lakewood. Services are free to victim families.
Moseley said the center is always looking for volunteers.
"We'd like to have more volunteers from the Lakewood area. In Arvada we have a pretty dedicated group, but some would like to not have to drive to Lakewood," he said.
Moseley warned that the background check is extensive and includes a polygraph test due to the sensitive nature of the demographic.
Moseley said he was doing more presentations to the community about how to deal with sexual predators and how to protect children.There is no charge for the service.
He described sexual predators as people who solicit other's trust. "Most assaults are planned," he said.
Now that the Lakewood house is open, there will be more room for children and families. Both centers are furnished like a home to make kids feel more comfortable in contrast to a police station scenario.
The Lakewood house is undergoing some renovation, but the option of families being able to go there will ease up space at Arvada and spread out the families, which allows for more privacy.
According to Moseley, abuse comes from family and friends 90 percent of the time, and 50 percent of abusers are people they trust.
"It's a double betrayal" he said.
On the hopeful side, Moseley said once kids get help they can grow up to be completely normal. The center will host its third annual fundraising event Aug. 15.
The annual .5K Endurance Challenge race to benefit Ralston House is Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. in Olde Towne Arvada. Call 720-898-6745 to register. For more information, visit www.ralstonhouse.net.