New center offers hope for abused, neglected children

Nearly two years of preparation, planning, hand wringing and hard work culminated with the formal opening and dedication of the new Durant Children’s Center 4th Judicial Circuit Satellite in Hartsville.

“When we said two years ago that we would do this, that we would open a center in Hartsville, it was really taking a chance,” said Ellen Hamilton, executive director of the Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault, which operates the Durant Center.

“The economy was bad, a lot of people said the timing wasn’t right. But I have been so incredibly overwhelmed at the way people came forward and helped,” Hamilton said. She said the response from individuals, businesses and institutions went far beyond expectations.

“There were times when we had some sleepless nights. I don’t think anybody expected the response that we got. Obviously, this really touched a nerve in the community,” Hamilton said.

Officials with the Pee Dee Coalition first announced their intent to open a satellite center for abused children in Hartsville in December 2007.

Since then, Hamilton said, the project has been a labor of love.

The house in which the center is located at, 510 W. Carolina Ave., was donated by Rose Marie Newsom and was once her home. It also once housed a physician’s office.

Coalition officials say the presence of the facility in Hartsville will mean easier access to services offered for victims of child abuse and neglect in Darlington, Chesterfield and Marlboro counties.

“We expect to serve at least 300 children in the Fourth Judicial Circuit,” said Christy Tuck, director of the Durant Children’s Center.

“Having this facility in Hartsville helps remove the transportation obstacle that a lot of families in the area face. It increases access to the services without having to drive to Florence,” Tuck said.

Currently, the center is open by appointment only, according to Tuck. To call and schedule an appointment, call (843) 332-9265 or (843) 332-9299.

Dr. Alison Evans and Pat West co-chaired the Plant A Seed of Hope Capital Campaign to raise funds for the new facility.

Renovation work on the house started last November.

Based in Florence, the Durant Children’s Center, known as “The House Where Healing Begins,” is a child advocacy center that offers forensic interviews, medical exams and therapy to children suffering from abuse or neglect.

Christy Tuck, director of the Durant Center, said the objective behind opening the Hartsville site was to have a child advocacy center within 60 miles of every child in the region so that families do not have to travel all the way to Florence for services.

The new center serves the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which is made up of Darlington, Dillon, Chesterfield and Marlboro counties.

Coalition officials say the center is needed because child abuse is a growing problem in the region.

Last year, nearly 400 investigations into reports of child abuse or neglect took place in the circuit, according to the coalition.

Officials say that number fails to indicate the full extent of the problem because of the large number of instances that go unreported. Estimates indicate that abuse occurs at a rate three times higher than reported, according to the coalition.

The Durant Children’s Center assisted 392 children in the Pee Dee in 2008.

Tuck said the presence of the new center in Hartsville is also expected to result in more cases of abuse and neglect being reported.

Because Darlington County and other Fourth Circuit counties are rural, children who are victims of physical and sexual abuse in those areas often require services from multiple systems, Tuck said.

The new Hartsville facility provides child-sensitive forensic interviews, medical evaluations, therapeutic intervention, victim advocacy and support, multidisciplinary case reviews and ongoing case tracking, all in a child-friendly center convenient to area residents.

The 1,800-square-foot house features 13 rooms, including a child and family reception area, a volunteer and administrative assistant area, a multi-disciplinary team office, child therapy room, conference and training room, a resource library, counseling and advocacy room, forensic interview room, a prevention room, a medical exam room, restrooms and a kitchen.

Each room is sponsored by a donor. The sponsors include civic clubs, churches, businesses and other organizations and families.