Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Evans.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started in the field of child abuse straight out of college in 1999. My first “real” job was as an Investigator with Child Protective Services (CPS). After two years in this role, I had the opportunity to join a specialized unit within CPS that focused on severe cases of child abuse. This unit handled cases that required a joint response with law enforcement due to the allegations being criminal in nature. These cases included sexual abuse, severe or life threatening physical abuse or child fatalities. This unit was collocated within Alliance For Children, Tarrant County’s Children’s Advocacy Center. Alliance For Children coordinated the joint response to these investigations and provided services for confirmed victims and their protective caregivers. I instantly felt at home at Alliance For Children. The teamed approach allowed my cases to be investigated in a more thorough and timely manner. This meant stronger cases and easier access to services for families.
In 2005, I had the opportunity to begin working directly for Alliance For Children. Today, I serve as the Executive Director. I love my job, truly. I believe in our work. Children can and do heal from abuse. It is quite an honor to be a part of their journey.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has not always been smooth. At times, it has only been mildly bumpy. Yet other times, I have been holding on for dear life! The major struggle is simply the service area of child abuse. As one detective told me recently, “every day I look evil in the face.” It is hard to spend every day working in trauma. We hear very hard things. We see very sad situations. There have been times that simply the topic is the greatest struggle. Each case touches you differently. To do this work long-term, you have to utilize coping mechanisms and establish strong self-care. Even with that in place, these cases are hard.
At times, cases can be hard for me when they mirror the ages of my own children. For example, my first day back from maternity leave from having my daughter I had to respond to the hospital on a three-month-old with severe injuries from abusive head trauma. That was a hard day, which is an understatement.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Alliance For Children – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Alliance For Children is Tarrant County’s Children’s Advocacy Center working in partnership with law enforcement, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Cook Children’s Medical Center and the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office to coordinate child abuse investigations and help ensure a smoother process for child victims and their protective caregivers. We are the only nonprofit organization in Tarrant County with a designated role in this investigative process. This year at Alliance For Children we celebrate 25 years of protecting Tarrant County children from abuse.
Over 50,000 children have been served since our doors opened in 1992. Our team offers support at no cost to families healing from the trauma of child abuse through counseling and case management services. Our hope is that every child grows up free from violence. But, we are here when the unthinkable happens.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We are navigating a trend today involving online child abuse. When I first started in this career, a perpetrator had to have access to a child to abuse one. The internet has shifted this drastically. We continue to see an increase in cases initiating online. It is my hope that as a culture we will catch up to this challenge facing our children and our criminal justice system. Parents need to be educated on this issue and empowered to set boundaries for family internet use. Please note, I say family internet use. Our children are watching our example. If they see us on our devices consistently, they will follow. My hope is that we will see a focus on our family time and a shift from relying on devices to be our entertainment. I believe this will better protect our children from abuse.
Contact Info:
- Website: allianceforchildren.org
- Phone: 817-335-7172
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