Victims of child and elder abuse in Hamilton County will have round-the-clock access to specialized services under a new three-year partnership approved by the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners.

The agreement with the Cherish Center, a nationally accredited child advocacy center in Carmel, provides forensic interviewing and victim advocacy services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The services will assist victims as well as local law enforcement agencies and the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office investigating abuse allegations.

“Our goal is to make sure victims and the professionals helping them have the resources they need when they need them most,” Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman said. “We want victims to have access to highly trained professionals in a safe, supportive environment right here in Hamilton County.”

The county will invest up to $619,800 over the life of the agreement, which runs from Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2029. It is the first formal contract between the Cherish Center and a government entity in Hamilton County.

The center served 302 victims of reported child and elder abuse in Hamilton County in 2025.

Forensic interviews are conducted by specially trained professionals and are designed to gather information from victims in a single, child-friendly setting, reducing the number of times a victim must recount what happened. Child advocacy centers bring investigators, prosecutors and victim advocates together under one roof.