Essex County Officials Foster Awareness of Child Abuse

In light of the child sex abuse scandals at Penn State and Syracuse universities, Essex County officials held a press conference Friday to encourage residents to be vigilant and inform police when they suspect something is wrong, and they also boosted a Newark organization, Wynona's House, which investigates cases of abuse and offers treatment to children.

"It is not about ‘stranger danger.’ It is happening in our own communities, homes, villages, institutions, and schools, and we have to wake up and realize that we have the power and strength to stop this scourge. A shocking percentage of our kids are victims of abuse. The statistics are staggering. But what is even more hurtful to the soul of our nation is that we can prevent this," said Booker at the press conference held at Wynona's House, located at 185 Washington Street.

The event also featured Newark Council President Donald M. Payne, Jr., Central Ward Councilman Darrin S. Sharif, Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith, Wynona’s House Executive Director Keri Logosso-Misurell, Essex County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit Director Mark Ali, and Beth Israel Medical Center pediatricians Joshua Rosenblatt and Elizabeth Hodgson.

Wynona's House, named after late State Senator and child advocate Wynona Lipman, is charged with promoting "justice and healing for child victims of abuse and violence by coordinating investigative, prosecution, treatment, and prevention services for children and families," according to its mission statement on the organization's website.

One of the ways the organization does this is by easing the interview process for the child during the investigation, according to the same website. A Newark police detective is also assigned to the center, said Logosso-Misurell.

"We are the first child advocacy center in New Jersey to enjoy a partnership," she said, alluding to the other organizations, besides law enforcement, such as Beth Israel Medical Center, which helps with the center's mission.

This year, seventy percent of the child victims assisted by Wynona’s House live in Newark, Irvington, and East Orange, according to officials from the center.

Earlier this year, Gov. Chris Christie cut more than half a million dollars in funding from the center's budget, possibly forcing them to shutter, according to the same report. But most of the funding was restored.

For suspected cases of child abuse, people are encouraged to call the state's child sex abuse hotline 1-877-NJ-ABUSE.

Other Patch reports on Wynona's House:

Funding for Wynona's House Restored