Grand Jury Commends Sex-Abuse Services Team

The Orange County Grand Jury issued a brief report Monday, commending the new Child Abuse Services Team for its “good planning and coordinated effort” in handling about 3,500 sexual-abuse cases last year.

The program was established in December, 1987, by Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez to handle the sensitive and special needs of child sexual-abuse victims involved in the legal process. The report said, for example, that previously, a victim could be subjected to as many as 25 “interrogations . . . often in intimidating atmospheres.”

The Child Abuse Services Team, with an annual budget of $234,382, includes representatives from the court, law enforcement agencies, Social Services Agency, Health Care Agency and private support groups.

“This program exemplifies what can be accomplished when the county’s private and public sectors work closely together,” the grand jury said. “In spite of the role of child advocate being an unfamiliar one for the district attorney’s office, the department has made the transition extremely well.”

The grand jury recommended that the supervisors continue funding for the program, despite their tight fiscal outlook. And it said the district attorney’s office should “continue its active role.”

Cathy Campbell, director of the program, said it has been assured funding through November and is being reviewed for continued financial support from the county.

“I’m thrilled that (the grand jurors) were as supportive as they were,” she said. “It’s my hope that this program will remain funded; it’s too important not to be funded.”

Budget officials from the county administrative office were unavailable for comment Monday.