The Bessemer Cut Off Advocacy Center dba The Clay House Children's Center

Imagine being afraid to sleep in your own bed at night.  Afraid, because you know your father will come into your room later and “touch” you.  Your step-mother knows what your father is doing to you and beats you every day because she hates you. You are forced to live as a slave in your own house and you are beaten if your chores are not done “correctly.”  You are not allowed to have birthday parties, go on school trips, or have friends like other kids.  You are completely cut off from the outside world.

This tragic story of a young girl named Emily, who battled her father and step-mother alone until age 12, when she met the Clay House team members.  Perhaps you know a child like Emily…

It is estimated that there are 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse in America today.  The statistics are shocking:

• 1 in 4 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18.

• 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18.

• 1 in 5 children are solicited sexually while on the internet.

• Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults occur to children ages 17 and under.

Long term effects of child abuse include fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hostility, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor self esteem, tendency toward substance abuse and difficulty with close relationships.  Consequences of child sexual abuse begin affecting children and families immediately.  They also affect society in innumerable and negative ways.  These effects continue throughout the life of the survivor, so the impact on society for just one survivor continues over multiple decades. Try to imagine the impact of 39 million survivors.

Many people don’t believe that this is a serious problem, or even worse, that it doesn’t concern them.  They’re wrong.  While national child abuse statistics show that there are approximately three million reports of child abuse, experts estimate that the actual number of incidents of abuse and neglect are three times greater than reported.  Child abuse IS a serious problem. The Clay House is here to help.

Emily has now graduated from High School and is attending college.  Her step mother served time in prison and her father is still incarcerated and will have to register as a sex offender when he is released.

We serve West Jefferson County, AL, which includes Adger, Bessemer, parts of Birmingham, Brighton, Concord, Dolomite, Fairfield, Hoover, Hueytown, Lipscomb, McCalla, Midfield, Mulga, Pleasant Grove, Oak Grove.

Clay House Children's Center participated in over 300 child sexual abuse and child physical abuse investigations last year.  Offered counseling to each child interviewed here and children who were seen at other child advocacy centers but moved into our area.

We have helped children from these zip codes 35005, 35006, 35020, 35021, 35022, 35023, 35036, 35048, 35060, 35061, 35062, 35064, 35068, 35094, 35111, 35116, 35117, 35118, 35126, 35127, 35142, 35201, 35202, 35203, 35204, 35205, 35206, 35207, 35208, 35209, 35210, 35211, 35212. 

We also accept referrals from other Child Advocacy Centers, Law Enforcement Agencies, the District Attorneys, Department of Human Resources (DHR), this expands our service area beyond Jefferson County to the entire State of Alabama.  We have received referrals from agencies located in other states also.  

Take time to help more children like Emily.  Donate to Clay House Children’s Center, help us help the children. 

 

It shouldn’t hurt to be a child…………………