A Letter from a Parent to The Children’s Assessment Center of Berrien County:
I have had so many feelings in the course of finding out our daughter was sexually abused. Guilt, hatred and betrayal are just the start of that long list. For a while it just absolutely consumes your every thought! When we took our daughter to her physician, he told us “she had been violated” and he was calling Social Services. Here’s another feeling. FEAR. I was scared to death. What did that mean? All I knew of Social Services is that they were the people who take away your kids. I had gone to the doctor for help and left wondering if they were going to blame us and take our daughter. After I spoke with a detective, we had our forensic interview. As difficult as that situation was, they really tried to make things as easy as she could for all of us. Then I had the opportunity to speak with a therapist. Finally, my fears were calmed and it became apparent that they were all only there to help us. Our daughter told me she was fine, but she wasn’t. She couldn’t face or speak about what had happened to her. I felt so helpless. I wanted to be able to fix this problem for her, but I couldn’t. So when she wanted to know why she had to go talk with a therapist? This is what I told her “Because the only way Mommy knew how to help her was to take her to someone she could talk to who could help her overcome and understand what had happened to her.” And she has. The therapist is amazing with her. She has been able to form a wonderful trusting relationship that has helped her express her feelings about what has happened. I cannot begin to thank the entire CAC for everything they have done. Not just for my family, but for countless others also. I realized one day while I was waiting for my daughter that all those little faces that came through here, someone had hurt. That was a heartbreaking reality for me. This community is so fortunate to have a center such as this filled with qualified people who have dedicated their lives to help heal our children and their families.
Thank You,
A Grateful Mother

* The names have been removed from this letter to protect confidentiality.