Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center releases 2020 Annual Report

Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center, the region’s leading resource to prevent abuse, protect children and heal families, recently released their 2020 Annual Report, which highlights the services provided for 792 children across the Lowcountry. In total, Dee Norton conducted the following in 2020:

• 612 Forensic Interviews
• 598 Medical Exams
• 154 Mental Health Assessments
• 2,099 Coordinated Cases
• 806 Therapy Sessions (evidence-based treatment)
• 1,069 Trained Community Professionals

The report also details Dee Norton’s overall vision to be the leading abuse and trauma center with several forward-thinking initiatives, including:

• Offered Telemental Health – switched to telemental health, which has been an essential component of making much-needed, trauma-focused mental health services accessible in the community during the pandemic and has led to a 23 percent significant increase in the attendance rate of treatment sessions and the number of treatment graduations.
• Hosted Annual Charleston Child Trauma Conference – held over four days, this virtual event offered 50 breakout sessions, eight mini sessions, and four networking opportunities, in addition to keynote speakers, to over 300 attendees.
• Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Program – served 83 youth in the community and spearheaded efforts to educate professionals to identify victims of child sex trafficking while also developing a specialized protocol for youth suspected of having been commercially sexually exploited.
• Partnered with Canine Companions for Independence – welcomed Braelynn, the Labrador/Golden Retriever, as the second facility dog to work alongside her therapist/forensic interviewer owner to help calm and inspire children.

Dee Norton is proud of these significant milestones and accomplishments and recognizes that its efforts and work must continue as the organization already anticipates a substantial rise in cases over the next two decades.

“We are honored to have served 792 children and families in 2020 despite the ongoing pandemic,” said Beverly Hutchison, Executive Director of Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center. “I am proud of our Dee Norton multi-disciplinary team – mental health professionals, social services, law enforcement, pediatricians, and more – for working together to adapt and continue to meet our children and families where they are. I am also grateful for the generosity of our community, who allowed us to continue our mission to prevent, protect and heal and serve our children and families free of charge. Their support makes this possible.”

To learn more about how you can help prevent child abuse, visit deenortoncenter.org.

About Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center

The Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center is the region’s leading resource to prevent abuse, protect children and heal families. Primary services include forensic interviews, medical examinations and mental health assessments, and immediate support and coordination. The center also provides evidence-based therapy to child victims and their families. For more information, visit www.deenortoncenter.org.