U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville on Monday highlighted the important work and world-class counseling services led by the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) in Huntsville. Sen. Tuberville visited the NCAC last week and was impressed by what he learned during his briefing and tour of the campus from Executive Director Chris Newlin and members of his team.
“The National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville is a global leader in services, investigations, and counseling for children who suffer physical and sexual abuse,” Tuberville said in a speech on the floor of the Senate. “The center’s work is important, and I’m proud to share that work today.”
“Studies show that there are several long-term effects of child abuse,” Tuberville said. “These include delayed brain development, lower educational success, and limited career opportunities. Victims are also more likely to suffer from future abuse, drug usage, and medical complications. Additionally, they are less likely to own cars, buy homes, [and] engage in business, making them less likely to be able to support a family in the future.”
“Founded in 1985, the National Children’s Advocacy Center — also called the NCAC — is stepping up to save lives and offer hope to thousands and thousands of young people,” Tuberville continued. The NCAC in Huntsville has established more than 1,000 children’s advocacy centers operating in the United States and in 41 countries across the globe. Their work serves thousands and thousands of kids every year.”
“The center’s reach does not end in Alabama — it has expanded across the country and across the world,” Tuberville said. “In 2021, over 30,000 child abuse professionals from 50 states and 17 countries received NCAC training, and more than 400,000 children were served just in 2021. Alabama’s network of children’s advocacy centers now includes 47 different locations that have conducted tens of thousands of counseling sessions each year. And thanks to their work, more abusers have been brought to justice. Communities with Children’s Advocacy Centers have seen a 196% increase in felony prosecutions of child sexual abuse.”
“During my visit, the center’s Executive Director Chris Newlin shared that one in ten American children today will be victims of abuse before the age of 18,” Tuberville said. “This is horrific, it’s unacceptable, and it’s embarrassing to our country.”
“Nearly 600,000 kids in the United States were abused in 2021,” Tuberville stated. “Child abuse cases in Alabama have increased throughout the years, with more than 12,000 victims reported in 2018, costing the state of Alabama $3.7 billion dollars.”
The most common form of abuse is neglect.
The NCAC is holding its International Symposium on Child Abuse in Huntsville on March 20 to 23. Nineteen countries will send representatives. Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino will be the keynote speaker.
Tuberville is in his first term representing Alabama in the United States Senate. Tuberville spent 40 years as a teacher and a coach before successfully running for the Senate in 2020 – defeating incumbent Sen. Doug Jones in a landslide victory for the GOP – even though the national election that year favored Democrats. Tuberville serves on the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and HELP Committees.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
