History
The Child Advocacy Model
What are child advocacy centers?
Child Advocacy Centers (CAC) developed in the late 1980s to help child sexual abuse victims and today our center provides counseling to victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and children who have been through some sort of trauma . The National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama was the first center that operated under this model. There are now more than 400 CACs and 246 associate member CACs across the country, with 16 centers in the state of Missouri. They vary in size and format, but they all share a common goal: to provide a safe haven for child abuse victims. Child advocacy centers coordinate services to the victim in one child –friendly location, working with a multidisciplinary team that is usually comprised of representatives from child protection, law enforcement, prosecution, mental health and the juvenile/family court. This coordination expedites the investigation and prosecution of abuse cases while ensuring that victims receive effective, sensitive and immediate support in a setting that puts their needs first. The collaboration dramatically reduces the number of times a child is questioned about the abuse.
Why are child advocacy centers needed?
Being abused is one of the most traumatic things that can happen to a child. Telling someone about the abuse, especially when it is committed by a family member, can also be a frightening, difficult experience. Often, when a child reveals sexual or physical abuse, the trauma is increased by the investigation by child protective, medical and law enforcement agencies. The child has to tell his or her story to multiple people. In a public policy study, Victim Services of New York City found that on average, a child sexual abuse victim has to repeat the story of the abuse to eight different people, some of whom interview a child several times. Before, the professionals would go to the child, whereas now the child is brought out of his or her stressful environment to see the professional. Centers provide the children with a friendly and welcoming place where they are able to get the assistance they need.
Where are child advocacy centers located?
There are more than 300 child advocacy centers across the country. They are accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. A list of accredited centers by state can be found on NCA’s website or at Missouri Kidsfirst's website.