“The multidisciplinary team investigating cases of child sexual and physical abuse and neglect from Harrison County is second to none.”
Comfort House Child Advocacy Center was started in 2001 as an “Adult Rape Crisis Treatment Center” and by 2004 had developed as an organization serving children of abuse as well, providing forensic interviews and SANE medical exams on sight. In 2006 efforts were redirected to focus on forensic Interviewing services. In 2007, a second center was opened in Harrison County (later discontinuing services in Crawford County) and in addition, the CAC began providing the Speak Up Be Safe prevention program in elementary and intermediate schools in Harrison County.
Located in Corydon, IN Comfort House provides child advocacy center services for approximately 75 children and families a year and provides Speak Up Be Safe to approximately 1,500 students each year. Additionally, the Comfort House staff is training to become facilitators of the Stewards of Children adult sexual abuse prevention program. The center’s primary service area is Harrison County, but also provides courtesy interviews for other counties and on behalf of other states as well.
Fundraisers for Comfort House include a first time golf scramble held in April, hopefully becoming an annual event to benefit the services provided by the center. Also during April, the Harrison County Community Foundation offered a 2:1 matching contribution for all donations made to the Comfort House Endowment Fund. Through a broad appeal within the community, the center was able to generate over $17,000 in new donations to the fund with the Harrison County Community Foundation adding over $34,000 in matching funds.
The multidisciplinary team investigating cases of child sexual and physical abuse and neglect from Harrison County is second to none. Active team members include members from the Harrison County Prosecutor’s office, the Harrison County Sheriff’s office, the Corydon Police Department, the Harrison County Department of Child Services, Hoosier Hills Pact Victim Advocates, Floyd Memorial SANE program, Mental Health Provider Lara West, and Comfort House.
