WHAT IS A CAC?
The mission of Stepping Stones CAC is to provide a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary team response to allegations of child abuse in a child-friendly facility to help reduce trauma to the child while maintaining the integrity and comfort of the child.
Child
Advocacy
Center
Stepping Stones CAC
In 2007, Sunflower CASA Project agreed to facilitate the formation of a Child Advocacy Center in Riley County. Child Advocacy Centers, or CACs, coordinate a collaborative partnership of professionals who are dedicated to providing child-sensitive interviews and compassionate services to children and their families.
Professionals representing child protective services, legal, law enforcement, mental health, medical and other disciplines provide a coordinated team response when a child reports abuse or when there is reason to believe a child has been abused or neglected.
Nationally, there are over 400 CACs accredited by the National Children’s Alliance and there are many more CACs in development. Stepping Stones Child Advocacy Center opened its doors on July 1, 2008.
What To Do If A Child Discloses Abuse
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Believe a child if s/he tells you something is happening to them. It is important for the child to feel heard and value
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Remain calm. Assure the child you are listening and what s/he has to say is important.
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Let the child know that it wasn't their fault.
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Listen. Let the child do the talking.
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Ask minimal questions to gather the who, what, when, and where. Don’t press the child for details.
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Be empathetic. Let the child know that you care about their safety.
What NOT To Do
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Don't conduct an investigation.
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Don't ask leading or suggestive questions. Don't insert the names of an adult you may suspect, let the child do the talking.
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Don't interrupt the child.
Report The Abuse
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Call 911 or 1-800-922-5330
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All investigations are confidenetial and you can report anonymously
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Collect your facts and write down notes
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When reporting try to have:
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Child's Name
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Age or Date of Birth
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Present Location of Child
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Permanent address
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Caregiver's Name and Address
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Brief decription of the allegations
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2024 CAC STATS
181
Forensic Interviews
22%
Increase In
Forensic
Interviews
142
Families
Received Advocacy
