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.
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.
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.