The Crescent House

The Crescent House, a service of The Children's Hospital at The Medical Center of Central Georgia, is a children's advocacy center designed to meet the needs of children who have made allegations of being sexually abused. The Crescent House is not a shelter but a facility supplied with state-of-the-art equipment that enables specially trained professionals to conduct effective, consistent, non-threatening interviews and examinations of children who have made these allegations. It is a "one-stop-shop" so to speak, utilizing a multi-disciplinary team approach to the investigation, treatment and prevention of child sexual abuse.

Our main focus at The Crescent House is the child. As such, the environment is completely child-friendly and accessible. Separate areas are available for play and stocked with a variety of age appropriate toys and activities. Child Life Specialists from the main Children's Hospital are also available to provide age-appropriate explanations and preparations to the children for their visit.

In addition to our Child Life Specialist, The Crescent House staff also includes a Program Director, Medical Director, two Nurse Practitioners, and two Forensic Interviewers. In addition, bi-monthly multi-disciplinary team meetings are conducted at the center involving representatives from our referral agencies such as the Macon Police Department, Bibb County Sheriff's Office, the Bibb County Department of Family and Children's Services, Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office, Bibb County School Social Services, and Mental Health.

What Is Child Sexual Abuse?

Child sexual abuse is any immoral or indecent act to or in the presence of any child under the age of 16. Examples may include, but are not limited to, physical contact of a sexual nature with a child, exhibiting pornography to children, taking sexually explicit pictures of children and engaging in sexual internet talk with a child.

Possible Signs of Sexual Abuse

Signs of sexual abuse may include but are not limited to the following: -

• Telling someone they have been abused
• Excessive clinginess to caregivers
• Unusual aggression or anger
• Sadness, depression
• Acting out sexually and/or sexual knowledge beyond age appropriateness
• Excessive masturbation
• Bedwetting after being potty-trained
• Decreased school performance
• Running away
• Suicide attempts
• Sleep disturbance
• Pain, swelling, bleeding, or itching of the genital area
• Sexually transmitted diseases

Who Is Abusing These Children?

• 70-80% of people who sexually abuse children are known to the child/family
• 20-30% are strangers

What Should I Do If I Suspect Abuse?

If you have reason to believe that a child has been the victim of sexual abuse, you can contact your county's Department of Family and Children's Services or Law Enforcement Agency.

Services Available At The Crescent House

• Multi-disciplinary team staffing of cases
• Forensic Interviews by specially trained staff
• Child Life preparation and support for the child's visit
• Forensic Medical exams by specially trained medical staff
• Mental Health referral and crisis intervention
• Child abuse prevention programs and presentations

Meet The Crescent House Staff

Allison Butler, Nurse Practitioner
Tracey Hartley, In-Take Coordinator/Forensic Interviewer
Darla Rich, Nurse Practitioner
Sandra Sneed, Director
Courtney Stephens, Child Life Specialist
Debbie West, M.D., Medical Director
Ashley Wilson, In-Take Coordinator/Forensic Interviewer

Address and Contact Information

The Crescent House
726 First Street
Macon, GA 31201
478-633-7044 (phone)
478-633-7043 (fax)

Hours: 8:30am-5:00pm (Monday-Friday)
Evening, weekend and Holiday call schedule accessed by calling main number

The Crescent House is a full member of Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia (www.cacga.org) and is supported in part by Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia, Inc. through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly.