The protection that children deserve.
The Children’s Advocacy Center Program works diligently to prevent, interrupt, and treat cases of child maltreatment.
Devastating Rates of Abuse in our Communities
1 in 4
Girls will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
1 in 6
Boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.
Breaking the cycle of abuse with child-friendly advocacy.
When a child is physically and/or sexually abused, neglected and/or endangered, or a witness to violence, it’s our job to care for them in a way that protects them from harm and future trauma. With age-appropriate and culturally sensitive exams, a single forensic interview, and a focus on consent, we ensure that each child is safe in our care.
The Children’s Advocacy Center: An Overview
The Children's Advocacy Center model is a child-focused, facility-based program in which representatives from many disciplines -- law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy - work together to protect children who may be victims of abuse.
Our process puts children first.
Traditionally, a child must tell his or her story of abuse a dozen or more times when navigating complex legal and social systems. These interviews are redundant, exhausting, and often not led by professionals who are trained in child-friendly methods. We make it our priority to make this process as comforting as possible with our child-friendly approach.
Child-Friendly Methods
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Forensic Interviews
Our forensic interviewers are trained in a credible, reliable, developmentally flexible and non-traumatic forensic interview protocol appropriate for children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults who allege sexual and physical abuse or witness a violent crime.
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Team Decisions
We make decisions together regarding the investigation, treatment, management, and prosecution of child abuse cases. Families trust us to advocate for them with compassion and competency.
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Age-appropriate exams
For a child who has been abused, a physical exam can be a scary prospect. Our clinicians conduct head-to-toe age-appropriate exams, designed around consent and body autonomy. This teaches each child that their body is to be respected by adults.
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Designated Child & Family Advocates
Each family is paired with an in-house Child & Family Advocate, who has completed over 150 hours of training specific to this role. The Advocate helps children and their non-offending family members navigate new and unfamiliar systems, meets with them on-site, and walks with them through the entire process. The Advocate empowers each child and their family with knowledge, critical resources, and follow-up support.
Our Services
The Children’s Advocacy Center is committed to supporting families through the entire process of abuse treatment: from the first exam to potential prosecution. Although each case is unique, here’s an overview of our services.
Physical Exams
Age-appropriate exams by trained clinicians that evaluate child wellness AND check the child for signs of abuse.
Forensic Interviews
We collect details from the child (and any other relevant parties) in an age-appropriate and culturally sensitive manner within a child-friendly environment.
Advocacy
Each family is paired with a designated Child & Family Advocate to meet with them and support them through every system.
Crisis Intervention
Child victims and their families are offered short-term crisis support services, as well as referrals to long-term mental health treatment through multidisciplinary team agencies.
Information & Referrals
We provide parents and caregivers with helpful, comprehensive information and referrals to trained professionals within the multidisciplinary team as well as resources for ongoing protection.
Education
Child victims and their family members are offered helpful education materials on child abuse, including our Parent Information Packet to assist during the aftermath of an abuse disclosure.
What to Expect
Disclosing abuse of a child can be both overwhelming. We’re here to help you through it.
- Your First Call
Once you disclose a possible case of abuse to either law enforcement or social services, we’ll receive their referral and set up our initial call with you.
- Your First Appointment
You (the advocating caregiver) and the child will attend your first appointment at our center, where the process will be fully explained, a single age-appropriate interview is conducted, and a free, developmentally-friendly head-to-toe exam is performed.
- Next Steps with Your Advocate
Your Child and Family Advocate will recommend next steps, which may include trauma-focused therapy and/or support from law enforcement or social services.
- On-going Support
You and your family will receive continual support from your Advocate, ensuring that you’re never alone or confused in the process.
Have questions? We’re here to help.
Get a forensic exam.
We offer a free age-appropriate sexual assault evidentiary exam with a trained clinician. Once you arrive at this hospital, simply request a sexual assault evidentiary exam for your child from an on-call Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.
Need immediate care?
We partner with Sanford Bemidji Medical Center to ensure that every child has 24/7 access to an age-appropriate medical exam with a trained clinician. Once you arrive at this hospital, simply request a free forensic evaluation for your child from an on-call Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Your nurse examiner will provide a comprehensive exam as well as any and all supportive care (such as emergency contraception and STI prophylactic treatment and referrals to our center or other appropriate agencies).