FBI Honors Montana Doctor for Protecting Native American Children

Dr. Earl Sutherland, Jr. to receive FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award

Presentation of Award:

Date: Thursday, October 7, 2010

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Where: United States Attorney’s Office

Former Western Federal Savings Bank Building

2929 3rd Avenue North

, 3rd Floor Conference Room

Billings, Montana

(406) 248-8487 –Billings, Montana FBI Office

Special Agent in Charge James S. McTighe of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office is proud to present the 2010 Director’s Community Leadership Award to Earl Sutherland, Jr., Ph.D. The FBI chose Dr. Sutherland for his work in protecting Native American children who are victims of sexual abuse and other violent acts. As a clinical child psychologist, Dr. Sutherland provides diagnostic and treatment services designed to stop the cycle of violence.

In April 2007, Dr. Sutherland started the Child and Adolescent Referral and Evaluation Centers (CARE) on the Crow Indian Reservation. In January 2010, he started a second CARE Center on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Both facilities are located in Southeastern Montana.

“By recognizing Dr. Sutherland with the Director’s Community Leadership Award for his work at the Child and Adolescent Referral and Evaluation Centers, we hope in some small way to convey our profound gratitude to Dr. Sutherland for his life-changing contributions to Native American children traumatized by sexual abuse and violence,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge James S. McTighe.

The CARE Center puts the needs of young victims first. Dr. Sutherland ensures they receive immediate counseling, determines how they have been victimized, and develops an appropriate treatment plan to address the psychological and physical well-being of the child. He also involves non-offending family members in the process. “Think about not only the emotional trauma, but the physical and spiritual trauma that develops from sexual abuse. Having the ability to help a child and their family cope with that is a wonderful opportunity,” said Dr. Sutherland.

Furthermore, the CARE Center works with a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals, law enforcement personnel, and prosecutors to investigate cases. Team members include the Bureau of Indian Affairs Social Services and Office of Justice Services, tribal prosecutors, Indian Health Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office. A victim and their family members have an opportunity to meet and talk to everyone who is involved in their case, which can help them to better understand the medical, investigative and court process.

The goal of the CARE Center is to help nurture and heal children who have been traumatized by violence. Because of the center’s success, Native American adults, who were sexually or physically abused as children are now coming forward to seek treatment as well.

The Director’s Community Leadership Award is one way FBI Special Agents in Charge thank individuals or organizations for their tremendous efforts. Created in 1990, this special award is presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI to honor organizations and individuals like Dr. Earl Sutherland for their commitment to their communities.

This article was sponsored by Police Books.