The Child and Family Advocacy Center (CFAC) is a neutral, victim-friendly, trauma informed organization that coordinate a multidisciplinary response to to allegations of abuse, neglect, and witness to violence.
The multidisciplinary team is a collaboration of professionals within child protective services, law enforcement, prosecution, mental health, physical health, and victim advocacy that coordinate services for victims and families throughout the investigative process.
No. If you are concerned about a child who may have experienced abuse, neglect, or witness to violence, please report that directly to law enforcement or child protective services in the county or city in which you reside. Those agencies then coordinate appropriate steps taken, which may or may not include a referral to the Child and Family Advocacy Center for services.
A forensic interview is an interview conducted by a specially trained professional for the purpose of gathering reliable information from children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults regarding allegations of maltreatment, exploitation, or exposure to violence. They aim to minimize trauma to victims, are developmentally sensitive, and utilize research and practice-base techniques. The interview is recorded, and MDT members are observing in a separate room.
In most cases, the interview consists of one single session. There are cases where it is beneficial to having the interview spread out over multiple sessions (multi-session interviews). If the MDT feels that your child will benefit from this, you will be informed of that either prior to the initial interview, or the day of.
No. It is important that the interviewer speak with the child alone. It can be difficult for children to share information regarding the experience they may or may not have had. It can also be difficult for caregivers to hear. Children may want a caregiver to answer questions for them, or not openly share their experience with a caregiver in the room or if they know their caregiver is watching.
The CFAC has a family room for caregivers to be during the interview process. Typically one of our advocates will be with you during this time to answer any questions you may have. Our advocates are also available to assist with any referrals to other services that may be needed, or simply be there for comfort.
Following the interview, law enforcement or child protection may inform you of what next steps in the investigation are necessary. The advocate is available to aid in the process of further referrals or resources that you may need.
Child Abuse Statistics
- The National Children’s Alliance reports that in 2021, an estimated 600,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect. 1
- Reports from the U.S. Administration for Children and Families shows that younger children are most vulnerable. 2
- In 2021, the U.S. Administration for Children and Families reported that an estimated 1,820 children died from abuse and neglect.
Children are often of victims of those they know and trust.
- Most child victims are abused by a parent/caregiver. In 2021, substantiated child abuse cases where the child was victimized by a parent made up for 77% of those cases.
- In 2022, 21% of abuse allegations involved child-on-child abuse, and around 14% ff that total involved teenagers. 1
Is there a typical offender?
- There is no physical profile of a typical abuser.
- Perpetrators represent a diverse group of people.
- The often know the victim and their family and act like everyone else.
1 National Children’s Alliance 2022 national statistics collected from Children’s Advocacy Center members and available on the NCA website: https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/media-room/national-statistics-on-child-abuse/
2 National annual child abuse statistics cited from U.S. Administration for Children & Families, Child Maltreatment 2022. This data, released annually, is the most current federal data available. The annual reports are available online: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/data-research/child-maltreatment