It happened nearly ten years ago; a Mooresville 4-year old boy was sexually assaulted by a next door neighbor. As is typical in many child sexual assault cases, the boy was threatened with physical harm to him and his family if he told anyone. His courage soon surfaced and he told his parents what had been happening to him. This was the genesis of Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center.

As a result, a group of local citizens worked together to establish a better system for the intervention of local child sexual abuse. Dove House opened its doors in Statesville, NC, in September of 2002, and since then has served over 4,300 primary and secondary victims. Dove House serves Iredell and Alexander Counties, and currently averages 5 newly reported cases of child sexual abuse per week.

Dove House provides a single-interview process for the child victim. The 4-year old child mentioned above was taken to numerous interviews and re-traumatized each time. Dove House provides a warm and child-friendly facility, as opposed to “scary” places such as police stations, emergency rooms, and clinical-type settings. A multi-disciplinary team watches a closed-circuit monitor as a highly trained forensic interviewer interviews the child. The one-time interview is recorded and video taped at Dove House, and a medical exam, if required, is performed by a specially trained pediatrician and/or nurse examiner at the Dove House facility.

A SAFER COMMUNITY

It is estimated that before Dove House opened, the successful prosecution rate of child sexual assault crimes in Iredell County was below 20%. Since Dove House opened, that rate has climbed to 85% - 90% successful prosecution. Perpetrators are now spending time behind bars instead of on the streets of our community.

A CALL TO ACTION

What can you do to help? Dove House recently completed construction of its new 6,400 sq. ft. facility in Statesville. This state-of-the-art children’s advocacy center was designed to meet the needs of the child victims, with design input from staff, the multi-disciplinary team, and design professionals. The completion of this project was made possible through community support, with 93% of the design, site development and construction obtained through donations of materials, services, capital grants and monetary donations from fundraising activities. “The community has been incredible,” says Jack Grossman, Fundraising Chair for Dove House. “It is truly a miracle house.” Willis and Renee Spivey, of Spivey Construction, made this possible. By generously donating their general contracting services, it was then possible to solicit materials/services for the construction of the facility. “We have about $150,000 remaining debt for the building; pretty amazing considering the scope of the project and the state of the economy. It is a testament to the caliber of this community,” says Grossman.

There are ways that people can still get involved and help to eliminate the mortgage on the building. “Our goal is to have this paid off within the next 6 months… it is very doable,” says Grossman. People can still purchase engraved brick pavers or tiles, but remaining quantities are very limited. You can etch your name into Dove House history by purchasing one of these custom engraved mementos that will be permanently displayed at the new facility. Engraved pavers cost $1,000 each and include your custom message. They are displayed in the walkway of the Meditation Gardens. The cost of the custom engraved tiles is $150, and they are displayed within several areas of the building. There are also naming rights, of which about half have been sold. Naming rights range in price from $5,000 to $35,000 and include a beautiful dimensional sign at the entrance to your designated room. “We’ve had 2 teenagers raise enough money to each purchase naming rights,” exclaimed Grossman. “Will you help?”

For more information on Dove House services, contact Brenda Deal, Executive Director at 704-883-9814 or visit www.DoveHouse.us. For information on fundraising activities, naming rights and engraved pavers or tiles, contact Jack Grossman at 704-662-3620.