Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 3205

Tonight's special guest Maria Vinci-Savettiere is the Executive Director at Dierdre's House, the Center in Morris County for child victims of abuse and/or neglect and for children that have witnessed family violence. Established in 1994, Deirdre's House is the only site in Morris County where a child victim can be interviewed and digitally recorded by law enforcement, medically examined and treated by a pediatric abuse specialist, prepared for trial, and clinically counseled in English or Spanish----all under one roof. As a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center (CAC), Deirdre's House provides a comprehensive multidisciplinary team response to allegations of child abuse in a dedicated, safe, secure, child focused setting meaning that a child victim will not have to be interviewed and processed at a police station, examined in a hospital emergency room, and counseled at yet another location. It means that already badly traumatized children will not be retraumatized by the very system that is trying to assist them. They often exhibit isolation, anti-social behavior, low self-esteem, depression, and an impaired ability to function successfully in social and school situations. Deirdre’s House aims to help clients who have been abused, neglected, or witnessed domestic violence to increase the child’s independence, academic performance, and self-esteem. As Executive Director of Deirdre's House, Maria Vinci-Savettiere, Esq, has combined her legal knowledge and business acumen to expand and improve the programs offered to child victims, increase cooperation among agencies and organizations utilizing the facilities, and bring Deirdre's House back to financial stability.