The Carousel Center
Carrying Children Beyond Abuse

Services Performed:

• Medical:  A complete medical examination is performed for child sexual

and physical abuse cases.  The services are provided in a nurturing
supportive environment, by certified medical professionals.  “Certification” 
requires specific training, assuring that evidence is neither missed, nor compromised.  TCC has the only certified medical professionals in SENC.

• Interview Room:  The agency has a separate interview room equipped

with closed circuit video equipment for use by investigators.  Our forensic interviews satisfy the needs of law enforcement, prosecution and social services, without requiring the children to tell and re-tell their story.

• Social Services:  An on-site case manager provides case management

to ensure that children and the non-offending family members receive
needed services in a timely fashion.

• Mental Health:  Counseling services are offered on site to those children

and their families who have experienced sexual or physical abuse. 
Appropriate referrals are made to outside mental health providers if needed.

Recent Stats:
            Approximately 750 total visits per year, including all return therapy visits
            Some 300 new children every year
            85 percent are 11 and under
            75 percent are 6 and under
            80 percent of the children we see have been sexually abused
            Last year, our evidence and testimony helped convict 33 perpetrators

Background:
            TCC opened in 2000
We serve some 15, or more, counties throughout Southeastern North Carolina
Most of our children come from New Hanover, Columbus, Brunswick and Pender counties
Children are referred to us through law enforcement, social services and pediatricians

Costs:
            Care for one child, for one year, amounts to about $1,250
            Medicaid and insurance reimburse only $385 of that total cost.

North Carolina Perpetrator Profile:
            40 to 60 years old, white male, educated, at home, middle class, knows their victim
            90 percent of abuse happens in the home.

What can you do?

• Send money.  Given the gap between costs and reimbursements, TCC is an ever-

struggling agency.  We are particularly in need of funds to replace our colposcope.
This $15,000 piece of equipment examines, magnifies and photographs evidence
which is critical for prosecution of these crimes. 

• Tell a friend about us.  People don’t want to talk about child sexual abuse, and so, they

don’t want to talk about the agencies that serve them.  Operating in this vacuum merely perpetuates the crime.

• Be aware of child sexual abuse or any evidence of it.  Listen to a child; do not

immediately discount what they’re saying, just to preserve your own comfort.  Understand that there are others who are trained to follow up on such suspicion.  Your responsibility
is only to alert these professionals.  If a child makes mere suggestion, please call the
Carousel Center (254-9898) or the Department of Social Services (798-3420).  You need only report what little you know or suspect.  They will investigate further if given cause.  Understand that if you do nothing, the perpetrator will continue and may expand his or her abuse to more children.  Indeed, it is against the law in the state of North Carolina to not report suspected child abuse.

The Carousel Center     1501 Dock Street, Wilmington, NC, 28401       (910) 254-9898      www.carouselcenter.org