In 2002, Hackensack University Medical Center dedicated the world’s first Audrey Hepburn Children’s House. A division of the Department of Pediatrics in The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, the Audrey Hepburn Children’s House is a state-designated Regional Diagnostic Center for Child Abuse and Neglect serving Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, Sussex and Warren counties.
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for children who have been maltreated. We strive to lessen the trauma experienced by abused children through a coordinated interdisciplinary team response, quality evaluations, and treatment in a child-friendly and culturally sensitive environment.
The facility provides a unique private environment, which is specifically designed to address all aspects of child maltreatment in a professional yet compassionate manner. This environment includes: medical examination rooms, evaluation and interview rooms with observation capabilities, therapeutic play areas for children, comfortable waiting areas designed for adults and children, individual and group therapy rooms, conference areas for multidisciplinary consultations, and a designated area for professional education.
This 3-story home uses a multi-disciplinary approach to investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of child abuse, through collaboration with other child protection agencies. Treating more than 1200 children annually the house was previously located in a converted residence adjacent to the medical center.
Hotline
The determination of abuse should be made by the proper authorities. A team including child protective services, law enforcement, and medical and mental health professionals, can accomplish this task.
Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to child abuse in New Jersey is mandated by law to immediately report this information to the State Division of Youth and Family Services at its toll-free, 24-hour, seven-day a week hotline: 1-800-792-8610.
Helpful Links
The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
Association for Children of New Jersey
Child Abuse Prevention Association
Child Abuse Prevention Network
National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect
Prevent Child Abuse America
The Children's Bureau