Child sexual abuse, like other forms of sexual violence, is about power and control. Abusers can manipulate victims to stay quiet about the sexual abuse using a number of different tactics. Often an abuser will use their position of power over the victim to coerce or intimidate the child.
A Children’s Advocacy Center (“CAC”) provides a comprehensive, culturally competent, multi-disciplinary team response to allegations of child abuse in a dedicated, child-friendly setting. A CAC brings together members of the child protection, law enforcement, prosecution, victim advocacy, medical and mental health communities to provide child victims and their non-offending family members with comprehensive services designed to meet their individual needs.