Friday, March 29, 2024
37.0°F

Advocates connect with community

by ANNISA KEITH
Staff Writer | May 1, 2022 1:00 AM

SANDPOINT — Local advocates gathered with community members, law enforcement, and members of the justice system to raise awareness to the work they do.

Over 200 people turned out on Friday to take part in the second annual LillyBrooke Family Justice Center’s Kids Fair. The event didn’t slow despite scattered showers throughout the four-hour event. Booths had a variety of games, face painting, food, bounce houses, and more.

The event held on LillyBrooke grounds saw a variety of attendees including those from department of health and welfare, social workers, county prosecutors, and all branches of local law enforcement — along with their fire trucks, ambulances, and cruisers. Ken, the courthouse dog, also attended.

LillyBrooke has a full time staff of three that work in tandem with other agencies involved in court cases involving minors and domestic violence.

“We do the domestic violence piece too, that’s why we’re a family justice center and not just a child advocacy center,” said Peggy Frye, center director and forensic interviewer for LillyBrooke.

Bonner County is third in Idaho for actively prosecuted sex offense cases. Frye clarified that this is not because the area has more offenses per capita, but that less victims withdraw from the court process.

“I think it’s our approach,” Frye said. “We’re giving the victim access to a place to safely disclose what’s happened to them. We’re able to get them through the criminal justice system more effectively.”

However, disclosing allegations is only the first step in the court process. According to Frye, the staff at LillyBrooke focus a large portion of their efforts on the following steps of the process.

“We take them through the entire system, which is the hard part,” Frye said. “We would typically lose them in the process, because it's a scary thing for kids to do.”

She credited the staff for the high-success rate of the center.

“We have Ken, the dog. And we have all our staff who’s here for them from start to finish. I think that’s why we’re able to be more successful than we ever have been before, and very successful in the state of Idaho”

The team at LillyBrooke forensically interview those who allege being victims of sexual assualt. Interviews are recorded and passed on to officials who need specific details in order to build a court case; this prevents the minor from having to relive the events they testify to.

“The [agencies] are able to get what they need in a scientifically sound way. That’s what’s best for the child. It’s non-suggestive. It’s non-leading,” Frye said. “When you do a good interview, you have better outcomes because you’re allowing the child to use their words, rather than implanting your ideas or your thoughts into their narrative.”

Frye said that sexual abuse is everywhere, and that no one is immune to it. She encourages everyone to “keep their eyes and ears open” and report anything suspicious.

“We have this system set up to really help kids so it can be a little less scary,” Frye said. “That’s why we’re all here, that’s why this is here. We wanna make the system better for kids. And we want to meet kids where they are at, instead of kids meeting us where we’re at.”

The Kids Fair was funded by sponsors, donations, and volunteers giving their time to staff the event. LillyBrooke Family Justice Center is also largely funded by donations. Those interested in donating to the center are welcome to do so by mailing a check to their address at 227 S. 1st Ave. in Sandpoint.

They can be reached 24/7 at 208-265-3586.

photo

(Photo by ANNISA KEITH)

Bonner County Coroner Robert Beers, left, was the "popcorn guy" at the second annual LillyBrooke Family Justice Center's Kids Fair. He stands with Bonner County Chaplain Dave Lotze.