ONE
It all starts with ONE brave young person coming forward. Or ONE courageous adult speaking up on behalf of a child.
The goal of the CAC model is to ensure that no child is bounced around the system, that no child falls through the cracks. At the Children’s Advocacy Center, all of the agencies involved in the investigation of child abuse work together on behalf of that child.
Every ONE matters.
But no one is alone in this. There are many, many survivors. There are also many, many people connected to a CAC who are there to listen and there to help.
MANY
Last year CACs more than 11,600 young people walked through CAC doors for services. Types of maltreatment reported:
Sexual abuse 9,173
Severe physical abuse 2,307
Neglect 701
Witness to violence 610
Drug Endangerment 145
Last year CACs provided medical exams to more than 750 children who reported sexual and/or physical abuse.
Last year CACs provided on-site counseling to 3,336 kids. CACs made referrals for counseling for an additional 3,921 kids.
In 2022, we surveyed prosecutors, law enforcement officers and child protection workers who worked with CACs. Out of 527 respondents, 97% believe the CAC model fosters collaboration between agencies involved in the investigation of child abuse. 96% believe children and families are better served through the collaborative model.
In 2022, 95% of parents and caregivers reported that they believe the CAC did everything possible to help their child and family.
