Susie’s Place is pleased to have a Child and Family Advocate full time at each of centers, and those staff work very closely with the advocacy programs in the counties that we serve. In Monroe County, we are delighted to have Teresa Deckard as that county partner. Teresa has been with the Monroe County Prosecutors’ Office for 19 years, and has been in the victim advocacy area for 15 years. Her title is Victim Assistance Program Director and her knowledge and expertise in the field is unparalleled.
Teresa has been working with Susie’s Place since the Bloomington Center opened in 2011. Teresa has shared with us that on more than one occasion, a victim has informed her that they were very happy with their experience at Susie’s Place. They often compliment the center, and the interviewer who spent time with them.
We have had a couple cases with children that have been interviewed at SP, then our office has opened a criminal case and I work the child victim later, and they share with me how comfortable they were at SP, and how they felt safe talking with the interviewer. I had one in particular that has shared with me that she felt so much better being able to tell someone about the abuse, getting it off her chest. – Teresa
Teresa loves to hear the positive experiences that affirm that the Bloomington center is a safe and comfortable place for alleged child victims to share their experiences. We are always glad to hear the positive feedback, and we are thrilled to get to work with caring professionals like Teresa who work tirelessly to serve child victims and their caregivers.