Changing The System

Child abuse is a community problem.  No single agency, individual, or discipline has the necessary knowledge, skills or resources to provide the assistance needed by abused children.  In the past, the system designed to deal with child victims of abuse was fragmented, adult oriented, and insensitive to the needs of the child.  Professionals from child protection, law enforcement, legal, medical, and mental health systems would meet and talk with the child separately and repeatedly in facilities designed for adults.  It became apparent that this fragmented and adult oriented response to these abuse cases was not meeting the needs of these children and their families.

Children's Advocacy Centers provide a neutral, child friendly environment where professionals and agencies utilize a multi-disciplinary team approach to alleged child abuse cases.  The benefits of Children's Advocacy Centers are prompt on-going free services, a reduction in trauma to child victims and their families, and a community engaged in child protection and child abuse prevention.