“The biggest challenge is just getting people to believe child abuse happens,” Jill Howlett, forensic social worker, said. “Once you can acknowledge this can happen, awareness is in your favor.”
When children go to Our Kids, a medical clinic in Manchester, Howlett talks with them and gathers information. Our Kids provides medical exams when there are concerns of sexual abuse.
“When children and families come to the Our Kids Clinic, I first meet with the parent or caregiver that brings the child,” Howlett said. “I collect background information and talk to them about their reason for coming to the clinic. I also explain the medical examination in depth to the parent prior to the examination. If a child is 5 or older, I collect a medical history from that child and ask about sexual contact.”
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