How Children's Advocacy Centers Operate
Before the advent of Children's Advocacy Centers nationwide abused children were, unfortunately, retraumatized by the very system meant to serve them. Children were shuffled from one agency to another, and asked to repeat their stories to multiple professionals in cold, uninviting offices (such as police, sheriff, and District Attorney's offices). After the interviews, the agencies involved had great difficulty in collaborating on the cases, which oftentimes resulted in cases dropping out of the system.
Today, when victims of abuse arrive at their respective Children's Advocacy Center, trained staff and volunteers warmly greet them in a child and family-friendly environment. These smallest victims of abuse are interviewed and videotaped only once and by a professional Forensic Interviewer on staff at the Advocacy Center - thereby minimizing the trauma they have already experienced.
Forensic interviewers are trained to understand children's communication, talk with them clearly, and put them at ease, while still collecting sound investigative information. This one interview will serve the information needs of multiple agencies.
Victim Advocates interview the family, gathering essential information regarding history, the child's behavior, how they became aware of the abuse, and any questions or concerns are addressed. The Victim Advocate also assesses the need for other services such as housing, food, utilities, a Protective Order and counseling.
