LillyBrooke Kids Fair celebrates fun, focuses attention on child abuse

SANDPOINT — Friday is going to be a day of fun.

In addition to games, a bounce house, and a petting zoo, LillyBrooke Family Justice Center's Kids Fair will feature tours of the center, a barbecue with hotdogs and hamburgers, and more. It's a chance for kids and families to have fun and learn about the center's many services as the county recognizes April as Child Abuse Awareness Month.

The event, which takes place from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, is being held at the center, 227 S. First Ave.

Also on hand, of course, will be Ken — Bonner County's courthouse dog used to soothe the frayed nerves of victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse — to greet everyone who attends. Booths will be operated by CASA advocates, local law enforcement and representatives from the Bonner County Prosecutor's Office.

"Our whole team that normally investigates the cases of child abuse, they're coming together just to do a fun day for kids," Peggy Frye, center director and forensic interviewer, said.

"I think it was really our focus on the victims and how difficult the process is and we know how difficult it is," Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall said. "We wanted to show them that there is another side to it, that it can be fun here, too."

And while the days focus on fun, underlying the event is the serious work that normally takes place at the LillyBrooke Family Justice Center.

It's unusual for a community the size of Sandpoint to have a family justice center, especially one that includes a children's advocacy center. While another facility exists in Coeur d'Alene, the next closest centers are in Nampa and Boise.

Centers such as LillyBrooke brings those involved in investigating and prosecuting child abuse cases to the victim, instead of the other way around. As Frye interviews victims in a child friendly room, the audio and video is recorded and team members watch from an observation room away from the victim.

"So everyone's getting the same information at the same time, and they're making team decisions," Frye said. "Then the child only has to tell one person, one time, ideally, outside of court, instead of the old-fashioned way where they tell them a road deputy, and then they'd have to retell a detective and maybe tell Health and Welfare. And then they'd have to come and talk to the prosecutor and tell them and so they're having to talk about these things that they don't want to talk about over and over and over."

Marshall said many adults think child victims will automatically share all the details, when the opposite is actually the case. Like adult victims, children aren't eager to talk about what's happened to them. Having a center like LillyBrooke — and forensic interviewers like Frye — leads to better investigations which are less traumatic to young victims. It allows the team members to do their jobs while putting the children first in the process.

"When we had interview after interview, even though there's nothing nefarious on our part, it's just the way the system was set up, kids would end up shutting down and telling less and less as opposed to more and more," Marshall said.

Whether it's because there are more cases, better reporting or a greater willingness to talk and report abuse, Marshall said the area has seen an increase in the number of cases. In 2020, his office filed 51 adult sexual criminal cases.

While they want everyone to have a good time, Frye said she hopes the event also promotes awareness of the center and all it does, especially for the community's youngest victims.

"We just really want the community to know that we're here, and that there is this team of people dedicated to helping kids," Frye said. "And that we like to also have fun with kids. That's my big takeaway on it."

There is no charge for the event, but donations will be accepted to help fund LillyBrooke programs and services. In addition, hats and T-shirts are being sold as a fundraiser. A drop box will available during the event for donations, which can be sent to the LillyBrooke FJC, 227 S. First Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83874.

Information: LillyBrooke Family Justice Center, 208-265-3586