Reports detailing of a history child abuse at Michigan’s renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts have drawn interest around the state of Michigan and across the country. Everyone who cares about protecting children is troubled to learn of the history of abuse.
Reports detailing of a history child abuse at Michigan’s renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts have drawn interest around the state of Michigan and across the country.
Everyone who cares about protecting children is troubled to learn of the history of abuse at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Northern Michigan. As more information becomes public, Michigan’s 40 Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) see this as an important time for communities to recognize an important reality; child abuse occurs in every type of community, and protecting children requires awareness, prevention and action. We know from our work that children often delay disclosure because they fear they won’t be believed, worry about the consequences for themselves or others, or simply do not yet have the words to describe what happened. When they do find the courage to tell, the adults around them must be prepared to listen, believe, and act.
Many times over many years, we know children were abused at Interlochen, and it underscores an important fact: child abuse can occur anywhere. Trusted institutions are not immune, which is why accountability, and a culture of child protection must exist everywhere children learn, live, and thrive.
Our CACs throughout the state of Michigan see children and families from every community, every neighborhood and every socioeconomic background. In 2025 alone, more than 18,800 forensic interviews were conducted by Michigan’s CACs.
We are learning as the reports come out, mandated reporters did not consistently uphold their responsibilities to report suspected abuse. Michigan law requires professionals who work with children, including educators, coaches, medical professionals, and clergy, to report suspected abuse to Child Protective Services.
Cases like this are reminders that mandated reporters play a critical role in protecting children and connecting them to help as quickly as possible. Protecting children cannot depend on policies alone. It requires organizations to foster cultures where concerns are welcomed, reports are taken seriously, transparency is valued over reputation, and every adult understands that protecting children is a shared responsibility. Strong prevention practices, ongoing training, clear reporting pathways, and independent accountability are essential safeguards—not only after a crisis, but every day.
This case is also a reminder of the vital role communities play in supporting children and families affected by abuse. Child Advocacy Centers provide services that no single agency can offer alone, bringing together law enforcement, child protection, medical professionals, prosecutors, and mental health providers to coordinate a child-focused response. Every day, CACs across Michigan help children tell their stories once, access services, and begin the healing process.
In its statement about the results of its investigation, Interlochen declared “protecting students is central to everything we do,” including “mandatory training for all employees” and “multiple reporting channels,” promising a culture that “prioritizes accountability, transparency, integrity and continuing improvement.” Those commitments align with the values and priorities of our Child Advocacy Centers across Michigan and offer important standards for all organizations that serve children.
