The main goal of the Pike Regional Advocacy Center is to reduce the trauma children face after facing physical or sexual abuse.

So when Carrie Manning joined the board two years ago and was told that the center doesn’t have a way to handle sexual assault cases in-house, she and the board began planning a way to make that change.

“When a child comes that has been abused, we have the Department of Human Resources and District Attorney behind the glass, everyone is there so that the interview is the only on the child ahs to give,” Manning told members of the Troy Exchange Club Thursday. “But we have no way to handle a sexual assault case; we have to make them an appointment with Lee or Jefferson County. Sometimes it’s one or two days before  they can go there for that exam.”

Realizing the extra trauma and stress this can put on the children, Manning and the board began to pray about a way to bring that service to the local center, to take care of the child then and there.

The answer is going to take money – approximately $60,000 Manning said. To help reach that goal, the PRCAC is hosting a “Leis of Love Luau” at 7 p.m. on August 22 at J. michelle’s Special Events to raise funds for the service.

The luau will feature the 12 Eleven Band as well as a cash bar and mai tais included for groups that purchase a table.

Tickets are $50 for one person, $90 for a couple and $600 for a table.

Manning said the cost is for the equipment needed to provide the exams. “It adds up quickly,” Manning said.

The room will be added on-site at the advocacy center and will be designed to be comfortable for the children.

“We’ve already had a physician agree to perform the exams and two nurses who have agreed to be trained for it,” manning said. “And we have  a physician in Birmingham that will provide training for free.”

J. Michelle’s Special Events is located at 11440 U.S. Highway 231. For tickets or more information, contact the Pike Regional Child Advocacy Center at 334-670-0487.