Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society leaders participated in delivering a donation of $120,000 from the Church to Utah's Children's Justice Centers leaders help fight child sex abuse.
Leaders of the LDS Church's Primary, Young Women and Relief Society organizations delivered a check for $120,000 on Thursday to a Utah organization that helps children recover from child sexual abuse.
Sister Joy D. Jones, general president of the church's Primary organization for children, presented the check to leaders of Utah's Children's Justice Centers. The state's 22 centers provide warm, welcoming places for child victims of sexual assault to tell their stories to investigators and for their parents to learn about resources available to their children and families.
"The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints supports you in the effort to support, sustain and strengthen children and families," Sister Jones said. "On behalf of the church, we are pleased to provide $120,000 to help you establish on-site medical services at Children's Justice Centers throughout the state."
Sister Jones and three other church leaders toured the South Valley Children's Justice Center in West Jordan.
The centers are designed to empower child victims and allow them to begin to heal. Utah families whose children suffer abuse are directed to the centers. Upon arrival, each child can play with age-appropriate toys. Then she or he is allowed to choose from several themed interview rooms — for example, the West Jordan center includes rooms with giraffe, jungle, and beach motifs. The choice empowers the child, providing a sense of control. Further empowerment is provided during the interview as a trained detective listens to the child without interrupting.