Sen. Black and Rep. Maggart honored by Child Protection Advocates
for their work on behalf of abused children

(NASHVILLE, TN), November 23, 2009 – State Senator Diane Black (R-Gallatin) and Representative Debra Young Maggart (R-Hendersonville) were honored today with the Child Protection Investigative Team Leadership Award by the Tennessee Chapter of Children’s Advocacy Centers. 

The award was given to the lawmakers, along with Representative Sherry Jones (D-Nashville), at their sixth annual Awards Luncheon at the Sheraton in Nashville.  The lawmakers were chosen in recognition of their commitment to improving Tennessee’s response to severe child abuse.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award,” said Rep. Maggart.  “I would rather receive an award recognizing my work on behalf of children who have been abused than any other single issue.”

Maggart and Black have sponsored several new laws to protect children from child abuse and child sexual abuse, including legislation approved this year to allow videotaped interviews of abused children conducted by a forensic interviewer to be admissible in court.  Any time a charge of child sexual abuse comes up the child is brought to a Child Advocacy Center to be interviewed on videotape by a forensic interviewer, a licensed professional who is trained to interview children regarding the alleged abuse.  This new law defines forensic interviewer and the circumstances upon which those tapes would be admissible in a court of law. 

“This award is very special to me,” added Senator Black.  “I am humbled to receive recognition from those who are on the front lines of protecting children in Tennessee.  We look forward to continuing to work with child advocates in our efforts to help these children who have suffered severe physical and emotional trauma.”

Rep. Debra Young Maggart, Sen. Diane Black and Bonnie S. Beneke, LCSW, Executive Director of the Tennessee Chapter of Children's Advocacy Centers.

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