Special Victims Unit Completes Relocation to Child Advocacy Center
Published on February 07, 2023
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today announced that the relocation of the Lincoln Police Department’s Special Victims Unit (SVU) into the BraveBe Child Advocacy Center, 5025 Garland St., is now complete. The entire 15-member SVU began working in their new offices February 2.
Mayor Gaylor Baird was joined by Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins, BraveBe Executive Director Paige Piper, and Northeast District City Councilmember James Michael Bowers.
“This move enables our dedicated and talented team of SVU investigators to work side-by-side with the Center’s skilled team of interviewers, advocates, medical staff, and specialists,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird. “As mayor, I am proud of this meaningful and enhanced partnership between LPD and BraveBe, a collaboration that ushers in a new era of proactive response to child abuse and will deliver even better outcomes – and justice – for children and families in Lincoln.”
The $5.2 million expansion and renovation add 17,000 square feet to the facility and include improved medical and mental health services, additional triage space for children awaiting foster care placement, and helps to enhance BraveBe’s focus on training and prevention. The move allows SVU staff to work alongside BraveBe’s forensic interviewers, child advocates, and case coordinators, and provides LPD space for evidence lockers, equipment storage and more.
Chief Ewins said working closely with BraveBe staff allows an immediate response by the SVU during critical moments in child abuse investigations, as well as in sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking cases.
“The Lincoln Police Department is your partner in this journey. It is our collective vision for BraveBe to pursue justice for our children and get them the greatest care,” Chief Ewins said. “I look forward to our future to provide all young people that walk through these doors to this ‘Little Yellow House’ with the ‘Room to Heal’ to be served at the highest level of care possible.”
“At BraveBe we believe that no single agency has all the right tools, information, or skills to work child abuse investigations alone. However, when we pool our resources and combine our knowledge, we can offer holistic care,” Piper said. “Co-location has proven effective at other Child Advocacy Centers across the nation. Because of this, we know that combined knowledge, increased case collaboration, and strong relationships that are built when sharing an environment that will ultimately lead to better outcomes for victims.”
Bowers said the expanded facility located in his district will improve services for those in crisis.
“During my four years on the City Council, I’ve been proud to increase both personnel and resources for human services and safety programs like BraveBe Child Advocacy center and LPD,” Bowers said. “The enhanced partnership being announced today will deliver faster and more robust services to children and their families.”