Cibola County Safehouse

Through teamwork, we will promote child safety and healing by expeditiously investigating all crimes against children to create a stronger and safer community.  

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Forensic Interview

Safehouse staff will conduct a forensic interview with the child. A forensic interview is an interview in which a neutral, trained professional gathers factual information from a child who is alleged to have been the victim of abuse. The interviewer takes into account the child’s emotional needs and developmental level. The goal of the forensic interview is to gather as many facts as possible about the allegation of abuse in an unbiased, non-threatening, non-leading and child-friendly manner that causes no further trauma to the child.

Recorded Documentation

Making a visual recording of the interview provides an accurate record of the child’s behavior and statements as well as documenting the interviewing techniques.  The recorded interview becomes evidence in the investigation and is taken into custody by the law enforcement agency.  In the event that a case goes to court, the DVD is an essential part of the legal case and will be reviewed by prosecution and defense lawyers.  It may prevent the child from having to appear and testify during some proceedings, but the tape is not used in place of live testimony during a criminal trial.

Support Services

At the Cibola County Safehouse Project, we  believe that the child and family should not stand alone as they move forward from this experience. That is why we also provide victim advocacy services. We support and participate in a multidisciplinary model for the evaluation, investigation and treatment of child abuse. There are a number of agencies that are charged with responding to child abuse. Through cooperation, we can come together to share information, gather facts, and assist child abuse victims through a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach.

The family Advocate will help child and non-offending family members find the support services they need and negotiate the system of investigation and prosecution. 

 Our Safehouse works to provide hope and healing to victims and their families, and help child victims become kids again!