What is a
Children's Advocacy Center?
Utilizing a joint investigative team approach,
Children’s Advocacy Centers are facility-based community
partnerships dedicated to pursuing the truth in child
abuse investigations. Professionals work as a
multidisciplinary team to investigate and intervene in
cases of suspected child abuse, primarily sexual abuse.
This
multidisciplinary team approach brings together all the
professionals and agencies needed to offer comprehensive
services: law enforcement, child protective services,
prosecution, victim advocates, forensic interviewers,
mental-health and the medical community. Attention to
the needs and abilities of children is the hallmark of a
Children’s Advocacy Center. Designed as a safe and
welcoming place for children to be heard, CACs ensure
that children are not further victimized by the
interventions intended to protect them.
Core components of a Children’s Advocacy Center are:
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Child-friendly, safe environments
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Multidisciplinary teams include representation
from law enforcement, child protective services,
prosecution, victim advocates, forensic
interviewers, mental-health and the medical
community
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Case review
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Case follow-up and tracking
Source:
incacs.org
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