New center for child abuse treatment to open this spring in Juniata Park

The Philadelphia Children’s Alliance is preparing to celebrate a milestone in caring for victims of child abuse. 

The finishing touches are being put on a new facility for treatment of child abuse in the Juniata Park section of the city. Jackie Block Goldstein, associate director of the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance says the facility will put investigation and treatment under one roof with the best possible facilities.

“We’re very excited, it’s really a step towards best practices and really creating a national model that other cities can learn from,” she said.

Anthony Smith was abused as a child. He says it’s important to find out and treat abuse early.

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“I wasn’t a victim of long term abuse I was only a victim once, but the effects have been lifelong,” said Smith.

Special Victims Unit Captain John Darby says the consolidation has been a decade or more in the making. He says having everything in one place will help avoid forcing victims from having to tell and retell their stories.

The facility is expected to be completed in May.

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