South Carolina Network of Children's Advocacy Centers

Empowering South Carolina communities & Children's Advocacy centers to deliver a best practice response to child abuse.

To understand what a Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) is, you must understand what children face without one. Without a CAC, a child abuse victim may end up having to talk about the worst thing that has happened in his or her life, repeatedly, to doctors, police officers, lawyers, therapists, investigators, judges, and others. They may have to talk about that traumatic experience in a police station where they think they might be in trouble or maybe asked the wrong questions by a well-meaning teacher or other adult- that could hurt the case against the abuser.

With the CAC MDT approach the child is brought to the CAC by a caregiver or other "safe" adult. At the CAC, the child tells their story once to a trained forensic interviewer, who knows the right questions to ask in a way that does not retraumatize the child. Then, a team that includes medical professionals, law enforcement, mental health, solicitor's office, CPS, victim advocacy, and other professionals, make decisions together about how to help the child based on the interview. CACs offer therapy and medical exams, plus courtroom preparation, victim advocacy, case management, and other services.

Testimonials

SCNCAC and our member CACs collect survey information from caregivers of the children we serve. Some of the data and testimonials received are below:

-"They cared about us a family and wanted me to take care of myself so I can be ok for the kids. I appreciate their positivity when I can't see it in myself." A child's caregiver.

-97% of team members believe that clients benefit from the collaborative approach of the CAC multidisciplinary team model.