Young victims of physical and sexual abuse are scared, worried, in need of the best we adults have to offer them.

For too long in this area, child victims of such acts didn’t get our best effort. There was no place of comfort for them to be interviewed and counseled by trained personnel. Few people were skilled in how to help these kids through a traumatic, difficult time.

That has changed, thanks to Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. Sevier, Jefferson, Grainger and Cocke counties have a place to send child victims where they will be treated with compassion and understanding, by officials trained in such matters.

It’s not easy work, but representatives of the agencies that process such cases realize that. They also knew this part of the state was behind most of the rest of Tennessee in providing a one-stop place for children who are victims of abuse. The offices of Safe Harbor off Chapman Highway in Sevierville are cramped, and the nature of the work can be overwhelming.

Children up to age 18 from the four counties who are suspected victims of physical or sexual abuse usually end up here for special care. The atmosphere is created with the children in mind. It’s more like a home than an office, and there are toys available.

Children are encouraged to talk about what happened to them, to draw the events if that helps. Interviews are recorded for possible use in court proceedings against the perpetrators. Everyone who works with these children is trained to do it. They know what to ask, how to ask it and how to react to whatever is said.

Under the direction of Donna Koester, the six full-time staff members and children’s service officers work as a team on a difficult, tricky course of action. Since July 2008, forensic interviewer Jenny Stith has questioned more than 350 children, and the number of calls received in a week continues to grow.

Safe Harbor has outgrown its present quarters and is looking for new ones. They’d like to use a portion of the old hospital, but that may not work out. They may need to relocate to another county if they can’t find space in Sevier. Considering that Sevier is by far the largest of the four participating counties, that would be too bad.

Congratulations to Safe Harbor and all of its staff members and related agency workers. They do great work, and their efforts are critically needed.