AG Fitch and Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi Announce Statewide Protocol for Child Abuse Response
(Jackson, Mississippi) This week, Attorney General Lynn Fitch and Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi announced the Mississippi Statewide Protocol for Child Abuse Response, signed by Attorney General Lynn Fitch, Department of Child Protection Services Commissioner Andrea Sanders, Former President of the Mississippi Prosecutors Association District Attorney Crosby Parker, Chair of the Children’s Justice Act Task Force Judge Joel Smith, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi CEO Karla Steckler Tye, and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell.
“This protocol provides a best practice guide for all the professionals who are involved in helping a child victim. It provides consistency in meeting the forensic, therapeutic, and healthcare needs of child victims that can be applied in every county,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “By utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach, we secure the best outcomes for the child’s wellbeing and the greatest opportunity for achieving justice for victims. I was proud to work with these partners to develop the Statewide Protocol for Child Abuse Response and I am grateful to the Children’s Advocacy Centers for their leadership.”
“We are not just launching a new initiative. We are bringing hope and justice to the children who need it most. As we recognize April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we are incredibly proud to release the Mississippi Statewide Protocol for Child Abuse Response, a monumental step forward in our efforts to provide consistent, coordinated, and comprehensive support for children who experience abuse across the state. This initiative is the result of years of hard work, dedication, and collaboration. The Statewide Protocol for Child Abuse Response represents our collective commitment to delivering a compassionate, thorough, and victim-centered response to child abuse—no matter where in Mississippi a child may live,” said Karla Steckler Tye, CEO, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi.
“At the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the safety and well-being of our children is a top priority,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. “We are committed to working year-round with our local, state, and federal partners to prevent abuse, raise awareness, and ensure that every child in Mississippi has the chance to grow up in a safe and supportive environment.”
“This collaboration is an excellent illustration of how Mississippi can put children and their safety first. MDCPS has a very important role in protecting children from felony abuse, but we cannot and should not attempt to do it alone. Felony child abuse requires a coordinated response from our agency, law enforcement, Children’s Advocacy Centers, lawyers, and prosecutors. Simultaneously, we must always remember that the victim is a child and needs specialized and consistent support to heal. We are proud to join these partners to create one consistent statewide guide to coordinate our response and truly put children first” said Department of Child Protection Services Commissioner Andrea A. Sanders.
“Mississippi’s Statewide Protocol provides a consistent approach to the forensic, therapeutic, and healthcare needs of child victims that can be applied in every county and town across our State,” said Joel Smith, Former Judge for the Mississippi Court of Appeals. “It’s an honor to stand beside partners like Attorney General Fitch, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that this protocol would stand the test of time and bring long term stability to the battle against child abuse.”
“From a prosecution perspective, the statewide protocol ensures that when a child is victimized, we not only have experts in various fields leading the criminal investigation and providing essential services for the child and their family, but also that a consistent standard and best practices are upheld throughout the state. This approach will result in a higher rate of successful prosecutions, while prioritizing the child’s well-being throughout the process. I fully support this Statewide Protocol and extend my gratitude to the Attorney General, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mississippi, and all law enforcement agencies for their unwavering commitment to protecting our children,” said District Attorney Crosby Parker.
Attorney General Fitch hosted a press conference on Wednesday to unveil the protocol and announce the partnership. Blue pinwheels, the national symbol for child abuse prevention, covered the lawn between the Walter Sillers Building and the Mississippi Supreme Court on High Street in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
To learn more about child abuse prevention and to view Mississippi’s Statewide Protocol click here.