WHAT WE DO
Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County (CACRC) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization serving children victimized by sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, or having witnessed a violent crime. We offer a safe, secure, confidential & child-friendly environment where the healing process can begin.
What Is a Children’s Advocacy Center?
A children’s advocacy center is a non-profit agency that supports partners in the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child sexual and physical abuse.
Prior to the existence of child advocacy centers, children suffering from abuse and neglect often endured repetitive interviews due to lack of coordination between investigating agencies. Investigating agencies frequently duplicated efforts and complicated the process for victims and their families, increasing the trauma associated with reporting the abuse and jeopardizing the opportunity for successful outcomes in child abuse cases.
The multi-agency approach to investigating allegations of child abuse and to protecting children begins with the referral. Cases are referred to a children’s advocacy center by either a local law enforcement agency or Child Protective Services (CPS). Forensic interviews are conducted at the children’s advocacy center in an age appropriate room by trained professionals, who seek to minimize the number of interviews for children and to enhance evidence collection for our partners through the use of an unbiased and non-suggestive interview protocol. Medical exams are conducted by specially trained practitioners. Therapy and family assistance programs also are provided to clients and non-offending family members to help them understand their rights as crime victims and to assist them in accessing other resources in the community.
Counseling
Specializing in trauma-focused therapy, the CACRC’s therapy staff offers services to children who have been victimized by abuse or neglect and their non-offending family members who are dealing with the aftermath of abuse. These services are offered at no cost, for as long as they are needed.
Family Advocacy
Our Family Advocates are committed to helping each family navigate the complex systems they enter when a child makes an outcry of abuse. As each case goes through the investigation, prosecution, and healing process, the team is there to help the family understand the process, learn about their rights, and successfully access resources that will help their family during the crisis.
Clients receive information and referrals to community resources and assistance completing any necessary applications including Crime Victim’s Compensation. Families have access to clothing, toiletries, and financial assistance on an as-needed basis. Families also receive ongoing support through special Family Advocacy programs such as providing back to school supplies and holiday assistance.
Forensic Interviews
Our Forensic Interviewers conduct information gathering interviews of children that are neutral, non-leading, & developmentally appropriate.
awareness & outreach
We do Outreach events to not raise awareness about the mission of CACRC and to provide positive childhood experiences for children in our community.
Help us raise awareness and educate our community by following us on social media and sharing with your connections!
Ask us to be at your event!
Education & Training
We host monthly Virtual Information Sessions that cover child abuse dynamics, who we are, what we do, and how to get involved in making a difference for the children and families we serve.
Our Information Session can be requested for groups of 5 or more and we can customize the allotted time.
We are authorized facilitators for both Darkness to Light and Monique Burr Foundation for Children Prevention Education Programs. We are also Community Education Partners with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
We do trainings for adults and youth! Some of the topics/curriculums we cover include:
- CACRC Overview or CACRC Information Session
- Darkness to Light Trainings
- Stewards of Children®
- Recognizing & Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect
- Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
- Bystanders Protecting Children from Boundary Violations & Sexual Abuse
- Healthy Touch for Children and Youth
- Talking with Children about Safety from Sexual Abuse.
- Monique Burr Foundation Trainings
- NCMEC Trainings
- NetSmartz Digital Safety Trainings for Adults and Youth
Custom Topics can be Requested