Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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working with the abused and neglected v o unteering helps the system work voicing the concerns of children M ittle victims Small voices often had difficulty speaking up for their rights, but students helped those voices be heard. Concerned students became Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA, a national organization, assigned volunteers to court cases involving neglected, abused or delinquentjuveniles. The volunteers investigated the cases and made recommendations in the child ' s interest. Child abuse is more of a problem than people realize, Karen Ruckert, CASA volunteer and sophomore in pre-law, said. I think I was sheltered from the problem and didn ' t realize how widespread it is. There were no specific qualifications to be a volunteer, but personality characteristics such as sensitivity, awareness, objectivity and cooperation with the court system were important, Melanie Brockington, executive director of CASA, said. According to the 1995 Kansas Kid Count Data Book, there were 438 reported child abuse and neglect cases and 27 confirmed cases in Riley County last year. Children are the littlest victims, Tammy Hoots, CASA volunteer and senior in family life and community services, said. And I ' ve never understood what a child would ever do to cause anyone to hit or abuse them sexually or physically. Of the 50 CASA volunteers, half were students. These volunteers interviewed parents, teachers and siblings. We spend time with them (the children) so they get to trust us, Ruckert said. We want to build a rapport with them so we understand where they are coming from. The most rewarding aspect of volunteering was seeing the family change, Hoots said. After I ' ve worked on a case awhile it ' s nice to walk into a room and have the children run up and give me a hug, and to have the parents accept me and realize that I ' m not trying to separate the family, Hoots said. Seeing the children and parents change makes you feel you ' ve made a difference. by Gina Buster 28 -CASA- ran I .A child ' s voice I XXJKT lAPPOIMH)! SPECIAL

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I tm -Moore- 27

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Speak up for a child. can Melanie Brockington, executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates, works on a case at her desk. Brockington graduated from K- State in 1983 with a degree in social work but had only been working as the director of CASA since July. (Photo by Cary Conover) CASA is a national organization which acts as a child ' s voice in court. Lining the walls of the office in the Riley County Courthouse were signs that explained the group ' s purposes. (Photo by Cary Conover) -CASA- 29