The Colusa County Board of Supervisors last week contracted with the Colusa Police Department for their trained forensic interviewer to conduct interviews of victims of child abuse.
The Board of Supervisors on April 12 approved a reimbursement rate of $90.30 per hour, not to exceed $46,053 through March 31.
Lt. Sara Martin, the former investigator with the Colusa County District Attorney’s Office, has served as second in command at the Colusa Police Department since 2020, but is still one of the most highly trained and respected forensic interviewers in the region, officials said.
“We use forensic interviews for all forms of child abuse,” Martin said. “This includes interviews with those who disclose abuse later in life as an adult, more commonly referred to as ‘delayed disclosures.’ Forensic interviews can also be done with adult victims of domestic abuse and/or sex crimes. We have a team, comprised of folks from law enforcement, social services, victim/witness, the District Attorney’s Office, and probation, that view the interviews and provide insight from each profession’s viewpoint. Additionally, we work collaboratively for the most optimal outcome.”
The board also on April 12 adopted a proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“The tragedy of child abuse and neglect affects every community in California and touches the lives of far too many citizens, regardless of cultural, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic level,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Merced Corona, who presented the proclamation to Carissa Bowers, Colusa County Advocates for Parents and Children, the designated Child Abuse Prevention Council.
Colusa County has 42.8 reports of child abuse per 1,000 children, according to state 2020 data, slightly lower than California’s 43.5. Siskiyou, Del Norte, and Lassen counties have the highest reports of child abuse with more than 100 reports per 1,000 children each year.
“With regard to abuse, I would say there isn’t one form that is more prevalent than others,” Martin said. “Just as with domestic violence, these forms of abuse most commonly come to the attention of law enforcement by a report made by someone outside of the home, such as a school staff member or neighbor.”
Martin said speaking with a child who is a victim of any form of abuse is very difficult for a variety of reasons.
“Often the perpetrator is a family member or close family friend,” Martin said. “It’s actually not as common for the perpetrator to be a complete stranger as some may think. We often will hear a child say during a forensic interview, ‘I didn’t think anyone would believe me.’”
The Colusa County Department of Health and Human Services was awarded a grant through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency services, Victim Services & Public Safety Branch to support Colusa County’s Multidisciplinary Interview Center.
The $126,410 grant will reimburse the Colusa Police Department for Martin’s services and enhance the services that are currently provided by the MDIC, according to Elizabeth Kelly, Colusa County Health and Human Services director.
Colusa Police Department’s services include the investigation of child abuse cases, including evidence gathering, victim interviewing, and investigation coordination with law enforcement.
“While initially there will be an incident that brings abuse to the attention of others, it’s very common during a forensic interview to learn about multiple incidents that have occurred and even other victims,” Martin said. “Building a rapport with a child that facilitates them being able to disclose very personal things that may be occurring is very challenging as an interviewer. You essentially have to build trust in a very short period of time for that child to feel comfortable to disclose abuse.
Martin said interviewing child victims of abuse can be very challenging.
“Sometimes, children aren’t ready to open up and it’s frustrating as an interviewer/law enforcement officer because you want to help,” she said. “However, when a child does open up, you can see a difference by the end of the interview. It’s as if they have a weight taken off of them. In some cases, we will do multiple forensic interviewers. While sometimes the end result of the judicial process may not be what victims want, it’s rewarding when you do get to see those children grow up and have healthy lives. I am fortunate to still have contact with a few. Sadly, there are victims you meet as children that grow up and struggle in adulthood. This is what makes child abuse so appalling. It will impact children far longer than a bruise will last; (it) doesn’t just go away.”
According to the Proclamation, which the Colusa and Williams city councils also approved, “the observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month provides an excellent opportunity for citizens to reflect on this tragic crime, while rededicating themselves to taking an active role in child abuse prevention activities in thier community.”
“Early identification and intervention are essential to successfully interrupting the generation cycle of abuse and neglect,” said Colusa Mayor Tom Reische, in reading the proclamation. “Collaboration among professionals, concerned parents, volunteers, and policy makers can help to reduce the level of child abuse and neglect in our communities.” ■