Newsmaker




Monday, November 17, 1997

Name: Judy Lind

Age: 55

Education: Boston College University School of Social Work, MSW

Occupation: Director, Children's Advocacy Centers of Hawaii

Hobbies: Tennis

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Helping young abuse victims

It took a decade, but Judy Lind's persistence paid off.

In 1986, Family Court Judge Michael Town heard an Alabama district attorney talk about more "child friendly" ways to shepherd young victims of sexual assault through the judicial system. From that seed grew the Children's Advocacy Centers of Hawaii, which, under Lind's direction, have been placed on each of the neighbor islands. The centers provide facilities for law enforcement officials and Child Protective Service workers to interview victims on videotape and mental health professionals to help them through the process.

Lind, who became director of the state Judiciary's Children's Advocacy Centers of Hawaii in 1986, was the recipient of the 1997 Professional Leadership Award from the National Network of Children's Advocacy Centers. The award is given to a person who has demonstrated perseverance and dedication to local children's advocacy centers through "extraordinary professional initiative," said Judiciary spokeswoman Marsha Kitagawa.

Lind received the award in mid-October in Washington, D.C.

"Judy has an amazing ability to motivate diverse disciplines such as court personnel, psychologists, legislators and volunteers toward one end: child safety," said Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon. "Due to her dedication and commitment, a child who is abused today will receive prompt, effective and therapeutic intervention and prompt, effective justice."

Said Lind, "This is the best job I've ever had because you can visibly see that you're making a difference."

Town credits Lind with making the process much less traumatic for young victims.

"If I were to compare the Hawaii system 10 years ago and again today, we are light-years ahead," Town said. "A child who is abused today would find themselves the recipient of prompt, effective and therapeutic interventions and prompt, effective and therapeutic justice that every child nationally should receive. Judy has been the catalyst for this and deserves recognition."

Lind shares the credit, however. "We're light-years ahead," she said. "But the reason we're light-years ahead is not me. This is the only program that has the executive branch, the courts, the Judiciary and the community all working together. It's a lot of fun. It's also very good to see something that works. It took top-down agreement to get this. But making changes is always difficult."

Lind has worked in the Judiciary's Family Court since 1971.

"I do not believe there could be a finer, more dedicated person than Judy Lind in charge of the Hawaii Children's Advocacy Centers," said Rep. Neil Abercrombie. "Her thoughts are always on improving the services provided and protecting those who have not been able to protect themselves. Judy Lind is their champion."

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Jim Witty, Star-Bulletin