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-------- This text message is used to keep the image from rotating in ocr process. Be sure to crop the top .25" off after the ocr process. 125 South Main Farmington Davis County UTAH STATE HISTORY 111 11111111111 1111 1111 1111111111111111111111111111 111111111111 11 3 9222 50001 6998 Center For Abused Kids Opens in Davis http://www.sltrib.coml97/aug/081397/utahJ31708.htm ~tjalt :teakt utrifntnt Wednesday, August 13, 1997 Center For Abused Kids Opens in Davis BY MONTE WHALEY THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE 1 10f2 /'117 5 · ytlt(/h f~V1'jf~ FARMINGTON -- A home that once provided safety and comfort to Dorothy Bowen now will do the same for young victims of sexual and physical abuse. Bowen grew up at 125 S. Main St. in Farmington, and Clinical Coordinator Tanya Perkins shows off the homey she applauds Davis County's efforts to tum her childhood look of the Davis County Children's Justice Center, digs into a place where police converted from a 104-year-old Farmington house. (Rick and social workers can Egan/Salt Lake Tribune) interview children about their abuse. Bowen was on hand Friday along with 200 other people to mark the opening of the Davis County Children's Justice Center. "I like to see children helped. 1 can't stand the idea of children being abused," said the 70-year-old Bowen. "My mom would have approved and so would my grandmother." Bowen's grandparents built the two-story structure 104 years ago, and it was a sturdy haven for her family for decades. The house later was sold to another family, who moved out when Davis County bought it about five years ago. When crews started renovating the home in 1995, they found a crumbling hulk. "It was awful," said Davis County Commissioner Carol Page. Reconstruction estimates shot from $35,000 all the way to about $200,000. Much of the money came from two federal grants and a long list of mostly private donors. The renovated house provides a central location for authorities to talk to abuse victims from throughout the county. "They will feel at home, and they won't feel like they are in a cold, sterile environment," Page said. Before the center opened, abuse victims had to be interviewed in police offices. They often were hustled into crowded, narrow rooms that lacked light, much less warmth. Sometimes police talked to them at the same time they were interviewing the alleged perpetrator in the next room. At the Farmington center, an aquarium and box of toys each occupy a comer in the lobby, which also includes a child-sized recliner and fireplace. Children up to age 18 can be interviewed in one of two rooms that are decorated with plants and cheery paintings. The center's back yard features a sandbox, playground and shaded benches. "The idea is to make it look like grandma's house, with that kind of feel," said center Director Doug Miller. No alleged perpetrators will be allowed at the center and police will be asked to talk to victims in plain clothes. All interviews will be taped with hidden cameras to ease the stress on victims. No children will stay overnight at the center, which also is 8114/978:42 AM Center For Abused Kids Opens in Davis http://www.sltrib.coml97/aug/081397/utahl31708.htm equipped with an electronic security system. The homey atmosphere alleviates stress on the victims and often helps them better recall the attack, said clinical coordinator Tanya Perkins. "If they are more comfortable, they are more likely to disclose details about the incident," she said. Davis County's facility is the eighth built in Utah. Others are planned in Duchesne and Cache counties. There were 1,099 reported abuse cases in Davis County in 1995 and 873 in 1996. Even one case is too high for Bowen, who is proud that her old home will be used to help others. © Copyright 1997, The Salt Lake Tribune All material found on Utah OnLine is copyrighted The Salt Lake Tribune and associated news services. No material may be reproduced or reused without explicit permission from The Salt Lake Tribune. Contact The Salt Lake Tribune or Utah OnLine by clickin~ here. 20f2 8/14/978:42 AM