Our Services
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Hamilton County (CAC) is dedicated to serving children who are alleged victims of sexual and severe physical abuse through prevention, education, and intervention.
We help victims become children again by offering the following direct services to alleged victims completely free of charge:
A total of 463 children received direct services at the CAC in the 2008-2009 fiscal year. This does not include additional children served through the Child Protective Investigative Team (CPIT) for whom the CAC completed case paperwork.
The numbers speak volumes, but behind every number is an innocent child.
Forensic Interviews
Child forensic interviews are designed to be neutral and fact-finding in which the child feels safe telling the facts of any incident which may or may not have occurred. Interviews are conducted by trained CAC staff and are generally observed by a detective and a child protective services worker. This service provides thorough incident disclosure by the child in one interview, thereby eliminating the need for the child to undergo multiple interviews. Our forensic interviewers also serve as “expert witnesses” in court proceedings, and interviews are recorded for accurate documentation. TOP
Medical Examinations
Because physical evidence of abuse, particularly sexual abuse, must be obtained quickly, delays in examining a child may result in lost evidence. In collaboration with T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital the CAC provides a quality medical facility used strictly for child abuse examinations. A pediatric physician or a pediatric nurse practitioner, with specialized training and expertise in child abuse, examines victims on site, thereby, eliminating long waits in the emergency room. Children are examined two days per week by appointment and after hours for emergencies. TOP
Counseling
CAC counselors all have very specialized training in working with child abuse victims. They provide direct assessment, counseling and support services and are specially trained to deal with the intricate problems relating to child victimization. Children who are referred for counseling may come as long as necessary. TOP
Family Advocacy
The CAC family advocate assists the non-offending parent or care-taker with services needed to maintain a safe and stable environment for their children. We also assist the family in filing for Victim’s Compensation Funds for the child. TOP
