When a child shares that someone may have hurt them or crossed their boundaries, it can feel overwhelming and confusing for any parent or caregiver. You may not know what to do next or how to best support your child. A Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is here to help. CACs provide a safe, child-friendly space where children and families can receive support, ask questions, and begin the path toward healing. Understanding what a CAC offers and what to expect during your visit can help you feel more prepared and supported every step of the way.
What is a Child Advocacy Center (CAC)?
The CAC is a safe, child-friendly place for children and families to go when there are concerns about abuse or violence. The CAC brings together different professionals who all share the same goal as you: ensuring your child is safe and healthy.
What Services Does a CAC Offer?
The CAC offers several services, such as forensic interviews, medical exams, counseling, and mental health support. The forensic interview offers your child a chance to speak with a trained professional about what happened in a child-centered interview. The medical exam, although not mandatory, will offer your child a chance to see a trained medical professional to make sure their body is healthy. The CAC can also connect families with community resources and support.
What to Expect During Your Visit
The CAC is a calm, welcoming environment. Your child will not be forced to do anything they don’t want to do. You and your child will be guided through each step. Your child may talk to a trained interviewer. The parents/caregivers will receive updates and support while the interview is taking place. After the interview, your child can be seen by a medical provider. The medical exam is a head-to-toe checkup to ensure your child’s body is safe and healthy. Additional testing may be offered. After the medical exam, the team will wrap up with the parents/caregivers to provide updates and any further recommendations.
How CACs Support Families
The focus of CACs is to reduce stress for the child and the families. CACs also aim to avoid repeated interviews with the child. The members of the CAC include medical professionals, law enforcement, and social services who all work as one team. The CAC keeps your child’s well-being at the center of care.
How You Can Support Your Child?
It is important to stay calm and supportive after your child tells you something has happened. Let your child share at their own pace and avoid asking detailed questions about what happened. Remind your child that they are safe and not in trouble. The CAC can also provide trauma counseling services for your child and parents/caregivers. Community counseling referrals can also be provided. Protecting children from abuse and neglect is a community responsibility. Figuring out what to do can be a difficult and confusing process, but help is available.
Alena Schuckmann is the Digital Communications Specialist for The Center for Family Safety and Healing. Alena graduated with a degree in communications and a minor in art from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. Alena is a skilled digital content creator who has had various articles and photographs published locally and nationwide.
Constance Christian, DO
Fellow MD- Child Abuse
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