FAQs

Fiscal Year 2010 (7/1/09-6/30/10) Stats

How are cases referred to Tyler’s Justice Center for Children?
All cases are referred to the Center either through law enforcement or the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

I know a child who may have been sexually abused. What should I do?
In Illinois, you should immediately call your local law enforcement and
1-800-25-ABUSE. If the incident occurred in a different state, please call Child Protective Services in that state. We are all responsible for reporting abuse to the authorities.

How can one tell if a child has been sexually abused?
Tyler’s Justice Center for Children performs a “forensic interview” for each child that enters the agency due to a report of abuse. A trained forensic interviewer asks the child open-ended, non-leading questions while other investigators watch from a closed-circuit television. If needed, a trained physician can give a child a medical exam using a colposcope, a magnifying device that can detect tears or scars that are not otherwise visible.

There is no one behavioral change that is a positive indicator of sexual abuse; they are very difficult to detect. Some children exhibit marked changes in behavior because of sexual abuse. They can become suddenly morose, withdrawn or non-communicative. On the other hand, other children may not display any changes in behavior and the abuse may be detected only because they disclose the abuse to a caring adult.

Where is Tyler’s Justice Center for Children located?
Our Center is located at 400 West Front Avenue Stockton IL 61085. Our office hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 - 4:30.

Is the Center a non-profit corporation?
Tyler’s Justice Center for Children is a non-profit tax-exempt 501 ©(3), incorporated in Illinois.

How is Tyler’s Justice Center for Children governed?
Our Center has a Board of Directors that is comprised of individuals from each of the three counties the center serves: Carroll, Jo Daviess and Stephenson.

How many employees does Tyler's Justice Center for Children have?
We have 3 full-time staff: Executive Director, Program Coordinator and Forensic Interviewer.

How is Tyler’s Justice Center for Children funded?
Our budget is funded solely by grants and private donations.