No individual, agency, or discipline has all the answers for the complex questions that arise once a child has been abused or neglected. Both of our Children’s Advocacy Centers are child-focused, community-based programs created to unite the people and services an abused child needs during the investigative process. Our goal is to reduce the emotional trauma to children during the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases.
This model in the fight against child abuse began simply: a community who wanted a better way to help young victims of sexual abuse. In 1985, Former Congressman Robert E. "Bud" Cramer (AL), who was then a District Attorney, organized an effort to create a better system to help abused children. The child advocacy center model developed through Former Congressman Cramer's vision pulls together law enforcement, criminal justice, child protective service, medical and mental health workers onto one coordinated team, Multi-Disciplinary Team.
Our Children’s Advocacy Centers offer forensic interviews of children by a trained forensic interviewer in a child-friendly environment. Working with local law enforcement, CPS investigators, Commonwealth’s Attorneys, victim advocates, forensic nurse examiners, mental health providers, and other relevant disciplines to these cases, our Children’s Advocacy Centers work to provide children and their families with ongoing services throughout the investigative process and beyond.
Children’s Trust provides this important service to the children of the Roanoke Valley and the New River Valley. In fiscal 2014, our two advocacy centers provided services to over 290 children. Our two centers provided support and guidance to 177 parents and children throughout child abuse investigations.
To learn more about any of these programs please visit roact.org
