KEWAUNEE COUNTY MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM RECEIVES $12,343 GRANT FROM DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
 

Grant Money to Equip a Child Forensic Interview Room

KEWAUNEE - The Wisconsin Department of Justice, Office of Crime Victim Services has awarded the Kewaunee County Multidisciplinary Team a $12,343 grant to be used to equip a dedicated child forensic interview room in the Kewaunee County Courthouse. The award is made possible through a combined grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the Wisconsin Children's Justice Act (CJA) program.

The Wisconsin Children's Justice Act grant program is committed to improving the investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect by encouraging multidisciplinary teaming at the county level. Working together streamlines the investigative process and reduces secondary trauma to child victims. The BJA grant was awarded to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for the sole purpose of assisting counties in equipping child forensic interview rooms. The video recording of a child victim's forensic interview by skilled interviewers significantly reduces the likelihood that the child will need to testify in court.

"By bringing agencies together, child forensic interview rooms help minimize trauma to victims and supply services to children in need," said Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. "They also assist law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children."

The Kewaunee County Multidisciplinary Team includes representative from the following agencies:

• District Attorney's Office
• Department of Human Services
• Sheriff's Department
• Kewaunee Police Department
• Algoma Police Department
• Luxemburg Village Police Department