Amy Donahoe

Amy Donahoe

Program Director and Forensic Interviewer

Volunteers are "desperately" needed to welcome and sit with families waiting for appointments at the Angelina Alliance for Children in downtown Lufkin, according to Amy Donohoe, forensic interviewer at the agency.
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And sometimes children are victims of both types of abuse, Donohoe said.

The center has worked with 404 abused children since it opened in July 2003.They've seen 70 so far this year, Donohoe said.The center serves children 2 to 17 years old.The average client is 6 to 12, she said.

"Just in June alone, we're had 14 (clients)," she said."We've been busy."

Unfortunately, business is booming.While that means abused children are getting the help and protection they need, it also means more volunteers are needed to help the center operate.

Staff members such as Donohoe are trained to assist children for taped interviews used in case presentations to police and court.Being in that role prevents forensic interviewers from also filling in as greeters, clerical help or fund-raisers, Donohoe said.
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"It really important to them to have someone out here who can just be a listening ear," Donohoe said last week at the center, standing in the empty waiting room.
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Call Donohoe at (936) 634-1999 for information or e-mail angchild2@consolidated.net.

Amy DonahoeProgram Director and Forensic InterviewerAmy began her career in Forensic Interviewing after receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child and Family Development with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Stephen F. Austin State University.In addition to conducting forensic interviews, Amy also serves as the Case Manager for each client and their family.Her resume includes five years working with preschool age children prior to joining the Alliance.Amy served as an intern and volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Pines.

Forensic interviewer Amy Donahoe said she was surprised by the consistent details the girl gave during two separate interviews, which were conducted six months apart.

Children at that age have a hard time remembering details, Donahoe said.

The girl went through a second interview because more allegations of sexual abuse came out, according to Donahoe.In the video, the girl named several different men whom she said "touched her," but the girl would not give details.