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Why a Child Advocacy Center?
 Responding to an abused child's courage to speak up, the Child Advocacy Centers
are part of the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center network, provide group and
individual services for these hurt children.
The child needs a caring
group of professionals that believe the horrific story that has been shared with
them. And this team joins together and sharing resources to help the child cope
and deal with the abuse. From the beginning of the interview throughout the
prosecution, or closure of the case, the child receives the best possible care
available. The ultimate goal follows a serious of steps to help the child to
cope.
The first step is the facility itself. Each Child Advocacy Center
resembles a home-like setting with a comfortable and welcoming sitting area,
playrooms, and kitchen areas. It allows children to talk about what has happened
to them in a non-threatening environment, rather than a police station or
courtroom.
The second step, the center provides a trained forensic
interviewer and a therapist for the child. A highly trained counselor conducts
the interviews with the child, while a group of professionals from law
enforcement, court and social services view the process on monitors in the next
room. The interview is taped for record keeping. Together they help to create a
strong case that will convict the offender.
The third step is the proven
process of all of the services coming to the child. This helps greatly, because
the child does not have to repeat their story over and over again and relive the
victimization that they experienced. Plus the child can stay in the safe
environment of the Child Advocacy Center.
Recently in Tennessee these
courageous children and their advocates won a huge victory with Senate Bill 312
and House Bill 619. The tapes of these interviews are classified as evidence
now. In other words it is admissible in a court of law. Meaning these children
do not have to face their abuser in a court. This reinforces that the abused
child's needs are of the utmost importance.
The fourth step is healing.
Each of our 14 Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center locations are staffed with a
highly professional team that share resources to accomplish a path to healing
and helping these courageous children to move on and be healthy and happy
children.
Click to see
pictures of the Madison County Child Advocacy Center
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