April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and so it was fitting that Tonya Murray with the Children’s Justice Center gave a report to the Uintah County Commission. 2021 was a record year at the Center with over 305 children interviews performed and 61 medical exams conducted, in addition to other services. In comparison, in 2007, the Center conducted 71 interviews and a total of 7 medical exams. Over the last 15 years, the Center has served over 3,000 children and provided a total of 536 medical exams, as well as served an additional 1,462 secondary victims. New services were added in 2017 and since then the Center has also covered 3,023 therapy sessions for children. In 2019, the Center gained a forensic interview specialist who now performs over 80 percent of the interviews. A facility dog program was put in place in 2012, bringing comfort to countless children. Tonya Murray was recognized by the Commission and Sheriff Labrum and thanked for her years of service in providing a safe place for local children as she will retire next month after 15 years at the Center.
