BENTON -- The Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence's new facility in Benton will be a welcome addition to Scott County.
Tammy Gwaltney, director of the SEMO-NASV, met with Scott County Commissioners during their regular meeting Tuesday to provide an "update on what's happening with our organization, particularly in this county," she said.
SEMO-NASV was established in 1997 to help children that are victims of physical and sexual abuse, Gwaltney said, by providing advocacy, counseling and forensic care.
The organization now serves 600-700 children per year in the 10 counties it serves, she said, with half of those coming from Scott County and Cape Girardeau County, although "not because there is more abuse going on in these two counties."
Gwaltney said they serve more victims from these two counties because officials are dedicated to helping victims of abuse. From the officers who first arrive on the scene to prosecutors, Scott County has the best officials to work with "from top to bottom," Gwaltney said. "We are grateful for the leadership of this county."
For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, click here to log on to the electronic edition.