Valley Children’s Advocacy Center
Why We Exist
To strengthen our community’s response to child abuse and neglect; To investigate, assess, educate and provide services using a multidisciplinary team approach; To work toward making our community a safe place for children to grow and thrive.
What We Do
The Children’s Advocacy Center is designed to reduce the trauma and advance the recovery of abused and neglected children. The CAC provides a comfortable, child-friendly setting where children can be interviewed by a trained CAC staff person. Interviews are recorded for use by law enforcement, CPS, and the Commonwealth’s Attorney to enhance the investigation of abuse allegations. The Center seeks to prevent trauma to the child caused by multiple, duplicative interviews. Victim advocacy services are provided to the child and their family as staff help the child/family process the child’s abuse and help them navigate the criminal justice system if criminal charges are placed. Trauma focused mental health counseling is also provided to the child and family memebers to help them on their journey toward healing from their victimization. Last, education and outreach is provided to community members as we strive to educate adults on ways to prevent child sexual abuse and responsibly respond to child abuse allegations or suspicions.
Who We Serve
Referrals for CAC services are accepted only from Law Enforcement or Child Protective Services (CPS). Once an allegation of abuse is made to either of these agencies and determined to be a valid case, they refer the child to the Children’s Advocacy Center to initiate CAC services.
Where We Serve
Why Community Members Support Our Work
Child sexual abuse is likely the most prevalent health problem children face with the most serious array of consequences. To reiterate, more children will endure child sexual abuse than any other health problem. About one in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. This number is staggering and simply inexcusable. Without the Children’s Advocacy Center, children who are abused risk further trauma at the hands of the criminal justice system that is intended to help them. Additionally, without proper treatment, the effects of child abuse can span the course of a lifetime. Conversely, through effective, evidence based mental health treatment and advocacy, children can heal from their abuse in order to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Valley Children’s Advocacy Center is the expert in responding to and treating children who have been victimized in order to lead them on their journey to resiliency.
How Volunteers Contribute to our Work:
Child sexual abuse is likely the most prevalent health problem children face with the most serious array of consequences. To reiterate, more children will endure child sexual abuse than any other health problem. About one in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. This number is staggering and simply inexcusable. Without the Children’s Advocacy Center, children who are abused risk further trauma at the hands of the criminal justice system that is intended to help them. Additionally, without proper treatment, the effects of child abuse can span the course of a lifetime. Conversely, through effective, evidence based mental health treatment and advocacy, children can heal from their abuse in order to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Valley Children’s Advocacy Center is the expert in responding to and treating children who have been victimized in order to lead them on their journey to resiliency.
How You Can Offer Your Charitable Donations:
How Volunteers Contribute to our Work:
Child sexual abuse is likely the most prevalent health problem children face with the most serious array of consequences. To reiterate, more children will endure child sexual abuse than any other health problem. About one in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. This number is staggering and simply inexcusable. Without the Children’s Advocacy Center, children who are abused risk further trauma at the hands of the criminal justice system that is intended to help them. Additionally, without proper treatment, the effects of child abuse can span the course of a lifetime. Conversely, through effective, evidence based mental health treatment and advocacy, children can heal from their abuse in order to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Valley Children’s Advocacy Center is the expert in responding to and treating children who have been victimized in order to lead them on their journey to resiliency.
Contact Information:
Rebecca Simmons
1105 Greenville Avenue
Staunton,
Virginia
24401