Every year, 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving 6 million children (a report can include multiple children). More than five children die every day as a result of child abuse and child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education. For adults, nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men report experiencing rape at some time in their lives.
The Bridging Evidence & Resources (BEAR) Center is a joint program between Sutter Medical Foundation and Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento that provides care to infants, children and teens who have been seriously neglected or physically or sexually abused. Donor support allows the BEAR Center to provide vital 24-hour child abuse assessment and community resources throughout the region.
BEAR is the sole care provider for abuse and neglect victims in Sacramento and Yolo Counties, and also provides backup coverage to several additional Northern California counties that do not have 24-hour coverage.
Angela Rosas, M.D., a Sutter Medical Group pediatrician and recognized child abuse expert, leads the program’s multidisciplinary team of specially trained nurse practitioners and physician assistants who provide services such as:
- Non-surgical pediatric gynecology
- Non-invasive colposcopy
- Child abuse assessment, including physical abuse and neglect
- Child, adolescent and adult forensic medical examinations for assault
- Medical clearance exams for children under 5 years of age entering the Sacramento County foster care system
The center handles, within a 60-minute response time, suspected abuse and neglect referrals from all Sacramento-region agencies. Between 25 and 30 emergency exams are performed per month in a comfortable outpatient clinic, with most exams performed on nights and weekends.
The BEAR team also partners with community agencies to develop and implement child abuse and sexual assault prevention programs. Our staff connects patients with vital community resources, including mental health services and advocacy programs.
If you are in need of services from the BEAR Program, please contact (916) 262-9108.
