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Victims of child abuse have new advocates in Benzie County

Linda Stephan

A Traverse City-based program that helps victims of child abuse will expand into another county.

The Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center will partner with the Benzie County Sheriff’s Office and Frankfort Police Department.

Sue Bolde – the executive director of theChildren’s Advocacy Center – says the group works to improve conditions for victims during police investigations.

She says the staff is trained to interview children in cases of abuse or trauma.

“What we’re able to do for these children is to provide them with a child-friendly place where they can come and be more comfortable,” Bolde says.

Bolde says they also offer counseling to victims and their families.  

“We are able to not only intervene in the situations of abuse and help with the investigation of the allegations of abuse,” Bolde says, “but we then are able to provide trauma treatment after so that healing can occur.”

The Children’s Advocacy Center already works with Grand Traverse County, Leelanau County and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.