How We Came To Be.

About 14 years ago, a small group of dedicated individuals got together because of a vision of an amazing nurse who recognized the need for a child friendly environment where abused children would be welcomed and cared for by specially trained professionals. No more cold, sterile, emergency room visits, where the victim would become even more traumatized by the frantic ER and be subjected to an exam by staff not certified to handle such delicate cases, thus risking crucial evidence being overlooked or compromised. A non-profit corporation was formed, funds were raised, a board of directors was put into place, a tiny house was rented, and through blood, sweat and tears, The Carousel Center opened its doors in the year 2000.

In the 12 years since The Carousel Center has been serving abused children in southeastern North Carolina, it has gone through many changes. The Center itself has moved locations a few times due to space constraints, and it now serves 8 counties. Wouldn't the real success story be though if the Carousel Center was forced out of business, meaning there was no longer a need for such services? Sadly, that is not the reality of the world in which we live. Last year alone there were 700 total visits at the Center. Every year The Carousel Center sees 250 new children, 82% are less than 11 years old and 78% have allegations of sexual abuse.

The wonderful staff of The Carousel Center recognizes the need, and takes this responsibility very seriously. No matter how many changes the Center has undergone, one thing remains constant, and that is the commitment to providing a child friendly environment to victims of child abuse. Children wear hand painted t-shirts instead of hospital gowns, and are given stuffed animals to hug during the physical exam. The staff asks age appropriate questions in order to satisfy the needs of law enforcement, prosecution and social services. All interested parties may watch and ask questions to the interviewer through a discreet headset to decrease trauma to the victim by eliminating the need to repeatedly tell their story. The Center provides the victims and their family the necessary tools to begin the healing process. The child's physical and emotional well being will always be The Center's top priority.