(Washington, DC) - On Saturday, May 16, 2009, Congressman Baron Hill visited Comfort House Child Advocacy Center in Corydon.  Comfort House provides services to families affected by sexual abuse.

“I am very pleased I got the chance to visit Comfort House over the weekend,” Hill said.  “They are an excellent organization that is truly enriching our Southern Indiana community.”

According to Comfort House’s web site, the services they offer include a “multi-disciplinary team forensic interview approach, advocacy and referral to counseling, legal, and education programs. Staff provides education to community organizations, schools, hospitals, and law enforcement in order to raise community awareness.  Comfort House personnel work as a team with law enforcement, child protection services, mental health, medical professionals, prosecution and advocacy.”

According to Melissa Cast, Program Development Coordinator for Comfort House, the organization conducted interviews of 105 primary victims (the children themselves) and provided services to 226 secondary victims (those accompanying the child, family, non-offending caregivers, etc.) for a total of 331 individuals receiving services in 2008.  Thus far in 2009, Comfort House has conducted 40 interviews and served 85 secondary victims, for a total of 125 individuals served.
 
“I’d like to thank the Comfort House staff for all they do and for allowing me to visit them Saturday,” Hill said.