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Agency steers abuse victims to servicesBy JIM ROSS, Times Staff Writer© St. Petersburg Times published August 9, 2002 INVERNESS -- Some Citrus children are victims of physical or sexual abuse. Some Citrus agencies help such victims and their families. Tami Reneer wants to get the two groups together. Spurred by her own family's confused walk through the legal and social service systems, Reneer has started the Children's Advocacy Council. "We're just going to be a really good referral system," she explained Thursday morning when addressing a group of Citrus health and social service providers. The idea is simple: Make sure victims know what services are available and how to access them. Leading the center is Reneer and a few volunteers. They can be reached at 637-1480. There are plenty of advocates who help victims receive the services they need. But sometimes things don't work out. For one reason or another, that was the case for Reneer's family, which endured a long struggle after a man was accused of sexually abusing two of Reneer's young relatives. Victims and their families need to know where to seek individual and family counseling, among other things, she said. "A better-informed parent is more likely to provide a stable and comforting environment for their child," Reneer wrote in a letter to people interested in the council. "They will also tend to make better choices on behalf of their child, all of which will help create an atmosphere that promotes healing." The coalition has compiled a list of members that will be available to accept referrals. It also will help families whose children have special medical, social or behavioral needs find the services they need. The coalition's work hopes to "help prevent children from falling through the cracks and parents from stumbling around within the system unaware of their options," Reneer wrote. -- Jim Ross can be reached at 860-7302 or jross@sptimes.com.
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