Learn more about our prevention efforts!
What is a Children’s Advocacy Center?
Childhood trauma like physical or sexual abuse, neglect or abandonment have proven impacts on developing minds and bodies. More than just isolated tragedies, these issues are strongly linked to physical, emotional and social impacts that affect all walks of society and extend throughout the lifespan. Healing our communities begins with healing our young people who have withstood unspeakable traumas.
A Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is a specialized facility designed to support and protect children who have been victims of abuse or neglect. Our centers offer a coordinated approach to handling cases of child abuse by bringing together various professionals (known as the Multi Disciplinary Team or MDT)—such as law enforcement, child protective services, medical personnel, and mental health professionals—in one location.
The main goals of the CAC are to:
Provide a Safe Environment: Ensure that children can speak about their experiences in a safe, comfortable setting.
Streamline Services: Offer a range of services in one place to minimize the number of times a child has to recount their trauma and to reduce the stress and confusion often associated with the legal and investigatory processes.
Support Recovery: Provide medical evaluations, therapy, and other support services to help children heal and recover from their experiences.
Coordinate Investigations: Facilitate communication and cooperation among various agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution of abuse cases.
Our CAC’s play a crucial role in ensuring that the needs of the child are prioritized and that they receive comprehensive care and support throughout the legal and recovery processes.
On the front lines of child sexual abuse prevention and treatment since 1990, Brigid Collins workes tireleslly as a dedicated member of both the Whatcom and Skagit Multi Disciplinary Teams, playing a vital role in the delicate and coordinated response to child abuse.
If you have reason to believe someone is harming a child, report it immediately. If you are worried about a child in your life and are unsure of what to do, call your local Children’s Advocacy Center coordinator.
