A Shifting Perspective

We had the honor of working with Will Frampton over the last couple of years as he created videos that showcase our center and our staff. Below you will find Will's thoughts on what he learned from this experience. Thank you for sharing, Will! 

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In fifteen years of broadcasting in four cities across the United States, there were, sadly, some stories that seemed to repeat themselves no matter where I was.  In every community I worked — Indiana, South Carolina, California, Georgia — there was no escaping the presence of child abuse.


Those stories were among the ones I dreaded the most, especially in my advancing years of broadcasting, during which time I became a father.


But something happened after I made the jump from CBS46 to start my own video and film production company.  I began taking on production jobs on behalf of companies and organizations, and through my good friend and Covington Police Captain Ken Malcom, I was introduced to the people of A Child’s Voice Child Advocacy Center in Social Circle.


A Child’s Voice (ACV) offers a unique service to the people of Walton and Newton Counties, a first line of support and advocacy following the revelation of possible child abuse within a family.  For people in many other rural north Georgia counties, there is no such organization as this; they have to travel an hour or more to Children’s Hospital in Atlanta for what is inevitably a grueling examination and interview process for the child.


Never before had I had the chance to see inside an organization such as this, to get to know the people who fuel it with their passion and caring.  What struck me first in getting to know the staff was their dedication, their personal investment.


For them, this is not just a job, but a mission.


“I feel led to do this,” said Lindsey Jones, a Forensic Interview Specialist at ACV.  “I love being able to talk to kids, I love being able to help figure out what’s happened to them, because in many cases not anyone else has talked to them about it, or tried to listen to the child.  I want to hear from them and allow them to tell what’s happened to them, and empower them to talk about it.”


This is what she said during our first interview, in the beginning stages of building a video production package for ACV.  Within 20 minutes of that first interview with her and others, I witnessed a passion that gave me a new perspective on the treatment of child abuse.


“I feel that God has put me on this planet to do my job,” said Jones, pausing to wipe away tears.


In the face of such a difficult circumstance as child abuse, how reassuring must it be for a family to know there are people on the front lines like this?  People who approach each week, each day, with a fresh perspective: “we have a chance to help a child who needs our help.”

Not to say they don’t endure difficult days and weeks at a time, dealing with cases that are especially painful.  Much like EMTs, law enforcement officers, or other people who deal with traumatic, life-changing events on a regular basis, the people of ACV likewise are in a position where they regularly have a direct impact on the rest of a person’s life.


It is a real burden to carry.  But the staff at ACV take it in stride, focusing on the mission of helping the child right in front of them.


“I don’t know that you can ever prepare yourself for what you’ll walk into when you're working in this environment, in this field,” said DeAnna Fort, a Family Advocate.


“Everyday you’re going to encounter something different, every case is different.  Sometimes you think you know what abuse is, what sexual abuse is, what physical abuse is, and then you experience something totally different from the last case.  So every case is different, every experience is different.”


In spite of the grim nature of some of cases, there is an overwhelming air of positivity in the office of ACV.  Yes, these are some of the lowest moments in the lives of some of these families, but the healing that begins the minute children walk in the door is remarkable.


To know there is a professional staff dedicated to listening to, understanding, and empowering children in these times of trouble — and to know this staff is focused on a community that would not otherwise have these services so close to home … is powerful.


For the staff at ACV, it’s quite simple: face the problem head-on, as soon as possible, with caring attention.  Or if not, the ripple effects ultimately effect the entire community.


“If you’re not addressing this, and you’re not paying attention to it when it does happen, making moves to protect a child when something has happened, you’re potentially leaving a child to be hurt even more,” said Lauren Gregory, a Family Advocate.


“We talk about where the children have flashbacks, or they can’t sleep, or they’re not developing appropriately.  If you don’t treat that, because we don’t want to talk about it, then that just makes it worse for the child.”


This practical yet loving approach is what too often is not seen in the media’s day-to-day reporting of child abuse cases.  Over a span of 15 years, I covered those stories and rarely had the opportunity to showcase the good people on the other side of the crisis, working to make something out of a terrible situation.

It is a great honor now to be able to help tell this story, based around the people of A Child’s Voice.


The mission of A Child’s Voice is on-going and ever-evolving.  To learn more about their services and how they seek to be a pro-active force for good in the community, visit their website: achildsvoicecac.org.