Leslie Slingsby: What Children Need When They Disclose Abuse - Justice Interrupted | Lyssna här

What happens after a child discloses abuse can shape their path toward safety, healing, and justice.

In this episode, Leslie Slingsby explains how trauma-informed care, multidisciplinary support, and specialized training can better support children and families.

In this episode, Ben, Jennifer, and Leslie Slingsby discuss:

Trauma-informed responses that put children’s needs first
Mission Kids and its multidisciplinary approach to child advocacy
How civil justice has driven institutional changes in child protection
Practical safeguards, training, and resources that can help prevent abuse

Key Takeaways:

[0:03:42] Coordinated response reduces the burden on children and families — Mission Kids brings forensic interviews, medical care, mental health services, advocacy, law enforcement, prosecution, and child protection together.
[0:07:12] An inconsistent system can make a child appear inconsistent — Separate documentation can make one interview look like three, while recorded interviews help preserve the child’s account.
[0:16:10] Civil justice has driven major changes in child protection — Leslie points to the Boy Scouts, the Y, and the archdiocese as examples of stronger protections following civil justice cases.
[0:29:51] Mission Kids is expanding access to specialized training — Its regional training facility includes a mock courtroom, mock apartment, and camera-equipped interview rooms for hands-on training.

"I think that trauma-informed approach is essential, so that kids know that they come first before any case or criminal justice system or any civil system, like their needs come first." — Leslie Slingsby

About Leslie Slingsby: Leslie Slingsby, LSW, is the CEO of Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center with more than two decades of experience in child advocacy, victim services, nonprofit leadership, and public policy. She led Mission Kids’ $18 million capital campaign and the development of its new Child Advocacy Center and training center. Leslie also serves on the Pennsylvania Chapter of Children’s Advocacy Centers and Multidisciplinary Teams Board and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Connect with Leslie Slingsby:

Website: https://missionkidscac.org/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7b8-ofGarNG0sr-OdUKrwQ

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mission-kids-child-advocacy-center/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MissionKidsCAC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mission-Kids/101177036907

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missionkidscac/

Connect with Ben Andreozzi:

Website: https://www.victimscivilattorneys.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndreozziandFoote/videos

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/andreozziandfoote/

X/Twitter: https://x.com/AndreozziFoote