Director Julie Stephenson, The Children’s Justice Centers’ coordinated approach allows child abuse victims to be heard: Part 1 of 3

The Davis County Children’s Justice Center has a motto that runs deep into their work protecting children from abuse; “Where small voices are heard.” With statistics showing that nationally, 1 in 7 children have experienced abuse or neglect in the past year, and with even fewer accounts being reported to authorities, providing a neutral, comfortable place for coordinated services during the abuse investigative process is of utmost importance. On this first part of a three-part series on the stories and services of Children’s Justice Centers (CJC) in the state of Utah, our Relentlessly Resilient hosts have a crucial conversation on issues surrounding child physical and sexual abuse, and human trafficking, right here in the beehive state. 

In this episode, Davis County CJC Director Julie Stephenson educates our listeners on the importance of knowing ahead of time the signs of abuse, the responsibility of reporting, how to report, and the carefully coordinated services provided by your local CJC as part of the investigative process. Great care and research have been given into the development of the process and services in order to provide a comfortable, neutral, child-friendly atmosphere for children and their families receiving care. This includes accreditations from the National Children’s Alliance and a multidisciplinary team trained to minimize trauma and facilitate improved coordination with investigators, as well as resources for survivors of any age. 

Support your local CJC by volunteering your time or making a tax-deductible contribution. 

While a CJC cannot accept child abuse reports directly, please report suspected abuse by contacting one of the following: Utah Division of Child & Family Services at 1-855-323-3237, your local police department or sheriff’s office, and if it is an emergency; call 911.  

Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.