What is a Child Advocacy Center?
A Child Advocacy Center is a child-focused, 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.
This multidisciplinary team approach brings together all the professionals and agencies needed to offer comprehensive services. Attention to the needs and abilities of children is the hallmark of a Child Advocacy Center (CAC). Designed as a safe and welcoming place for children to be heard, CAC’s ensure that children are not further victimized by the interventions intended to protect them.
What is a forensic interview?
A forensic interview is a child-friendly, neutral, non-leading discussion about an event that is in question. A child sits down with a forensic interviewer in a one-on-one setting that provides the child a reasonable opportunity to present his or her information.
Why is a forensic interview done?
A forensic interview is scheduled with Dunebrook by law enforcement or the Department of Child Services, because there has been a report made that the child has experienced some form of abuse, be it physical or sexual in nature. In some instances, a child may have witnessed violence either at home or in some other circumstances. The advocacy center interviewing process reduces the number of interviews and interviewers to which a child is subjected and enhances the chances of obtaining evidence for prosecution.
What happens with the child during the interview?
A professional interviewer interviews the child as it is recorded using techniques that are objective, non-leading, and helpful in building evidence for prosecution. While the child and interviewer are talking in the interview room it may be watched live from a monitoring room by a team of professionals investigating the allegations. These team members, while watching, are able to communicate with the interviewer by a bug-in-the-ear system. They have the ability to send in questions to her if they need to do so. This practice reduces the need for multiple interviews.
What happens after the interview?
The interview at the Child Advocacy Center is only one step in the investigative process. The CAC staff and team member attempt to create an environment that is child friendly and allows the best setting for a child to talk about abuse events. If this does not occur at the time of the interview, the child may be referred for counseling or other services that will allow disclosure as the child is comfortable talking. Team members may ask the child to be brought back to the CAC if information arises regarding the abuse situation that was unknown at first or if other abuse situations are brought to light.
