SERVICES

VICTIM SUPPORT & ADVOCACY

Victim advocates are intentional in their approach to victim support, forging bonds with the safe caregiver(s) that last throughout their child’s case. From the inception of their case at the CAC, the family is paired with one of our specially trained victim advocates who provide a constellation of services until the case is resolved. Even after the resolution, families can always call on their advocate. As a neutral entity, CAC advocates are truly free to be in the family’s corner by offering assistance in myriad ways. Our victim advocates also work with adult victims of sexual assault who are at risk or come to our facility by way of a medical exam referral.

Victim advocates provide a comforting presence during the interview and/or medical exam appointment, where they assess the child and family based on their needs. They offer relevant education, access to victims’ rights information, ongoing engagement through follow-up check-ins via phone, and aid in the completion and return of victim’s compensation applications with the county’s program administrator, among many other things. The victim advocate serves as a caregiver’s primary point of contact for news and updates in their child’s case and can even help facilitate communication and information sharing with the investigation team as necessary. If the child’s case makes it to the court process, an advocate will also accompany the family as a friendly and knowledgeable support.

FORENSIC INTERVIEWING

Forensic interviewers produce legally sound, developmentally sensitive interviews with children in cases of child abuse & neglect. The forensic interviewing model has also proven effective in assessing the maltreatment of at-risk adults. Specially trained forensic interviewers hold one-on-one conversations with the victim in a neutral, yet friendly, setting. One of the advantages to the interview process taking place at a facility that utilizes a child-centered approach is that all parties—the family, CAC staff, and members of the investigative/treatment team—gather in one place so that the child only has to tell their story one time, which is vital to reducing the child’s trauma and ensuring their safety.

It’s important to note that caregivers are not permitted to observe or sit in on the forensic interview for the best interests of the child’s case, including the impartiality of the criminal justice process. We partner with members of local law enforcement to provide this service in our community. The Center for Children also employs two staff members able to fully dedicate their training time to the skillset. To interview at the CAC, all forensic interviewers must abide by stringent training and peer review requirements that ensure high quality interviews reflecting best practices in the field. The investigative team does hold a post-interview conference with the non-offending caregiver(s) following the interview that clearly explains the next course of action.

MENTAL HEALTH

Therapy is the beginning of the healing journey for a child survivor of abuse. No one can take away negative memories, but we can help the child process and move beyond them to thrive. It’s important to note that not all therapy modalities are created equal. This is because not all trauma impacts equally—a seemingly resilient child today may feel severe effects of their abuse later in life if left unresolved. The therapy team that the CAC employs or contracts with provides evidence-based, trauma-focused mental health services that can be customized to each respective child. A family’s assigned victim advocate may advise alternative referrals in instances where the caregiver already has an established therapist in place for their child if that therapist doesn’t specialize in an evidence-based trauma treatment modality. The evidence-based modalities used by our staff include EMDR and TF-CBT.

The CAC therapy team specializes in children up to the age of 18. They provide one-on-one therapy, offering psychoeducation to the child and their caregiver where appropriate. They will also often be involved in therapeutic court support in cases that reach trial. Referrals to staff therapists at the Center for Children are reserved for cases initiated at our facility or a sister child advocacy center; we do not provide general therapy for community referrals.

MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS

Depending on the circumstances surrounding a sexual abuse or assault, medical examinations are available to any victim who requests one. The exam process may reveal medical findings indicative of abuse/assault. These examinations are provided by a specially trained, all-female nurse team—the Mesa County SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) Program—that works with victims of all ages. Like with the other professionals at the CAC, SANE nurses undergo rigorous training in addition to clinical practice and take part in ongoing education to provide this service.

The common misconception about these exams is that they are traumatizing in nature. The truth, however, is quite the opposite. The non-invasive exam’s primary focus is the health, safety, and well-being of the patient first and foremost and, as such, is guided by the patient’s comfort level at each step. Additionally, pre-adolescent children will never receive a GYN exam.

The friendly nurse team is always willing to explain this process in advance to a victim or caregiver considering an exam.