The Center

It is estimated that nearly 3,500 children are physically and sexually abused in Madison County each year, although only 10 percent of sexual abuse cases are ever reported. But when they are, the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is available to help. The CAC provides professional intervention and supportive services to fight child abuse. Most importantly, the CAC provides a safe haven for children to talk about what may have happened to them and to help in limiting the number of times a child has to be interviewed.

Before the CAC opened, a child who was a victim or witnessed a violent crime would often be interviewed by eight to 12 different people before the case went to trial. Recounting these events to so many different people could further traumatize the child. The goal of the CAC is to minimize this trauma by conducting one, coordinated forensic interview with the child.

The Child Advocacy Center has been designed to make children as comfortable as possible so they can feel safe during the interview process. The waiting room is furnished with child-sized furniture and toys so the child feels more comfortable. The Center is equipped with recording equipment that allows members of the investigative team to observe the forensic interview of the child. The team also meets before and after the interview to plan and further coordinate the investigation.

What We Do

• Provide a supportive, child friendly environment for forensic interviews
• Meet the needs of abused children and their families through specially trained staff
• Manage a comprehensive referral and support system for children and their non-offending caretakers
• Promote community and professional education
• Coordinate an investigative team of professionals and provide expert testimony in court