THE ASPIRE BLOG

Aspire Indiana Health has received a $400,000 federal grant to expand its mission of helping protect Madison County children to include elder abuse, vulnerable adults and child sex trafficking victims.

The Kids Talk Child Advocacy Center in Anderson has worked closely with the Madison County criminal justice system for the past six years, providing a safe space with trained forensic interviewers where children can talk about experiencing or witnessing sexual or physical abuse, neglect or the memory of a violent incident. This work has helped guide action by law enforcement authorities and the state Department of Child Services (DCS).

In ongoing discussions with Madison County and state officials, a need was identified for similar services to help protect victims of elder abuse, abuse of vulnerable adults with cognitive disabilities and sex trafficking. 

Statistics show one in 10 seniors experience elder abuse, often at the hands of a family member, and those with disabilities suffer abuse more frequently and for a longer duration. Indiana has become a locus of sex trafficking operations, including cases documented in the local media.

“We have made great strides in protecting kids these past few years, but there is more work to be done. By broadening our mission to include child victims of sex trafficking, vulnerable adults and elder abuse, we are showing that every life is cherished and that abuse of any kind has no place in Madison County,” Kids Talk Director Denise Valdez said.

The three-year grant comes from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime. The first year will be spent on planning and training with implementation in years two and three.

In addition to providing forensic interiews and other support services, Aspire’s long-term goal is to establish a residential treatment facility for child victims ages 15-17 in Madison specifically designed for child victims of sex trafficking, including in-house behavioral health care.