MASON CITY – Children in Mason City who are victims of abuse need more local services, says a Mason City police officer.
“Mason City is in need of a Child Protection Center,” said officer Jason Hugi today. “This center would assist children who are victims of sexual and physical abuse.”
The closest Child Protection Center to Mason City is Waterloo, where children here are sent if they meet criteria for being abused.
“Currently these kids have to travel hours for assistance,” officer Hugi said via social media.
There are only five Child Protection Centers in Iowa, located in Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Des Moines, Sioux City and Muscatine.
According to a a website dedicated to these agencies, Child Protection Centers were established in an effort to enhance the sensitivity and responsiveness of the court system, thereby minimizing the impact of the trauma to the child, providing vital medical and mental health services for victims and their families, and facilitating the prosecution of perpetrators through coordination of services and implementation of a collaborative approach.
