A Child Advocacy Center is designed to be a safe, child-friendly environment where children, who have been the victims of physical or sexual abuse, can talk about the trauma they have experienced and begin the healing process. Law enforcement officials, the District Attorney’s Office, Juvenile Court, the Department of Children’s Services and other agencies who are involved in the investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse cases all come together as a cohesive unit to work for the child’s best interests. The first thing you will notice about our Advocacy Centers is how much they look like homes instead of office or clinical settings. This is done so that the child does not feel threatened by his or her surroundings; thus, the focus can be on the healing process rather than the unfamiliar environment. The Advocacy Center allows each child’s needs to remain the focal point of the process, rather than transporting the child from agency to agency for the grueling process of discovery, medical exams and treatment.
