Minneapolis-based CornerHouse Marks 20th Anniversary of Helping Sexually Abused Children...

Minneapolis-based CornerHouse Marks 20th Anniversary of Helping Sexually
Abused Children Around the World
Local nonprofit has revolutionized and improved the way child abuse is
investigated in 48 states, seven foreign countries and the International
Criminal Court at The Hague

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- In August 1989, a ground breaking
ceremony was held at the site of what was to become one of the first child
advocacy centers in the nation, CornerHouse. Since that day CornerHouse has
become a groundbreaking organization, improving the way child abuse is
investigated around the world.

CornerHouse conducts forensic interviews and non-emergency medical
examinations for children and vulnerable adults who report sexual abuse or
witness a violent crime. CornerHouse's pioneering interview protocol is
recognized by the Minnesota State Supreme Court and has been adopted by the
American Prosecutors Research Institute.

"While difficult to imagine, it wasn't until the 1960s when our society began
to truly recognize and deal with the painful issue of child sexual abuse.
Until that time, there were minimal public services to report, document and
prosecute child sexual abuse," said Thomas Frost, executive director of
CornerHouse. "CornerHouse was established in 1989 to be a safe place in our
community for skilled, dedicated and compassionate professionals to interview
child victims of sexual abuse and violence."

CornerHouse's Internationally Recognized Interviewing Protocol
Since it was founded in 1989, CornerHouse has trained more than 22,000
professionals around the world as mandated reporters and on its interviewing
protocol. CornerHouse interviews approximately 500 children each year.

"CornerHouse had revolutionized the way child abuse is investigated," said
Frost. "Instead of a child being interviewed over and over at multiple
professional offices, CornerHouse's interviewing protocol puts the child's
needs first. Now, the professionals come to the child-friendly environment at
CornerHouse where a single recorded interview meets the needs of all
investigators."

CornerHouse Interview Specialists interview a child in one room while members
from law enforcement, child protection and the prosecutor's office observe
through closed circuit television from another room. Coordinating the
interview between the various offices reduces the number of interviews the
child must endure, thereby reducing stress and trauma on the child. The
interviewer conducts the interview with attention to the child's development,
cognitive, social and emotional levels. Age-appropriate questions, drawings
and anatomical dolls help children describe their experiences.

CornerHouse statistics and research indicate that between 50 and 60 percent of
all cases accepted for charging for adult criminal court have resulted in a
guilty plea, eliminating the need for costly trials.

20th Anniversary Gala, September 19
In its 20th year of helping children and families, CornerHouse is marking the
occasion with a gala event on Saturday, September 19, honoring founding
members Tom Johnson and Mary Ellison. The 20th Anniversary Gala will be held
at the Golden Wings Museum at the Anoka County Airport in Blaine, Minn. The
evening will feature helicopter and airplane rides, live jazz music and tours
of the rare and one-of-a-kind antique airplanes at the museum. Tickets can be
purchased for $85 at http://cornerhousegala.eventbrite.com. The event is open
to the public.

CornerHouse Ambassadors
This past year, a team of CornerHouse Ambassadors has been asked to raise
awareness of child abuse prevention and the important role of CornerHouse in
our community. Ambassadors have been asked to distribute safety information
cards to help adults who may be in a position to help a child, promote and
participate in fundraising opportunities, speak in a public forum about
CornerHouse and contribute to 20th anniversary activities.

About CornerHouse
CornerHouse is a public-private partnership organized as a non-profit agency.
It provides forensic interviews and medical examinations for children and
vulnerable adults suspected of being physically or sexually abused.
CornerHouse hears the cries of approximately 500 children each year. Opened
in 1989, CornerHouse works with police, child protection and prosecutors to
provide the highest quality and most reliable information and evidence
regarding allegations of abuse. CornerHouse also provides training locally,
nationally and internationally.

SOURCE CornerHouse

Suzanne Fedoruk Herrick of Fedoruk & Associates, Inc., +1-612-247-3079,
+1-612-861-7807, suzanne@fedorukinc.com, for CornerHouse