About Us

Our Story

Ashley’s Place is named for a young victim of child sexual abuse in Sumner County. The Center is dedicated to Ashley and all the victims of abuse throughout Sumner County who deserve a child-safe environment to receive services they so desperately need. Established in 2000 and guided by a Board of Directors, Ashley’s Place is committed to strengthening efforts across Sumner County by building on existing resources and providing services tailored to the individual needs of the community.

Ashley’s Place is a non-profit organization providing services to children and families when there are allegations of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, and/or witness to violence. The Center has a unique partnership with the District Attorney’s Office, The Department of Children’s Services, Sumner County Law Enforcement jurisdictions and Juvenile Court. This Multidisciplinary team works together for the detection, investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse.

Our Mission

The mission of the Sumner Child Advocacy Center is to ensure that a cooperative, multi-disciplinary team delivers comprehensive services to child physical and sexual abuse victims and their families in a child-focused, neutral-based facility.

By providing coordinated services through cooperation among the various disciplines, the Center will ensure that each child will be protected from further victimization.

The Child Advocacy Center will ensure the development and implementation of child physical and sexual abuse prevention and provide community education.

Ashley’s Story

Oh, Ashley,

What could we have done for you

That we had not the thought to do?

Was it harder in the beginning, with everyone in shock,

Or harder at the end of it, when all there was, was talk?

You were just the victim of somebody else’s crimes.

You told so many people, so many different times.

And everybody nodded, and said what they would do,

But no one really understood the pain that you went through.

You thought it would be different, but nothing really changed.

All the problems were still there, just somewhat rearranged.

We were the ones you talked to; we tried to make it right.

But nobody was there for you in the middle of the night.

So, we made this place of safety for children, who like you,

Need someone to believe them when what they say is true.

All of them who come here will know they’re not alone; “It shouldn’t hurt to be a child” are words we’ve cast in stone.

And to the shattered family that’s been lost along the way

We offer hope and healing to get through the darkest day.

We can’t change what has happened, but we can start from here

To help them through the hurting, and put to rest their fear.

It is hard in the beginning, with everyone in shock,

But easier at the end of it, if we can really talk.

And Ashley,

So that your memory doesn’t erase

We named this center Ashley’s Place.

– Anonymous

Ashley endured re-victimization through multiple interviews by various professionals, lack of therapeutic and advocacy services, and no court preparation or accompaniment when facing her abuser. Ashley was a catalyst in the creation of the Center; to provide comprehensive, coordinated, child-focused services. The center strives to end re-victimization of future child abuse victims throughout the investigation, persecution, and healing process.