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| What is the Child
and Family Advocacy Center? |
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| The
Child and Family Advocacy Center is a resource to families
and to the agencies which investigate and intervene in child
abuse cases in Elkhart County. The advocacy center provides
kid-friendly, forensic (fact-finding) interviews and assessments
for children, advocacy and support for family members, and
other programs focused on assisting the child victims and their
families. |
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| What is a forensic
interview? |
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A forensic interview
is a fact-finding, objective interview designed to reduce possible
trauma to the child while enabling them to talk about their
experience.
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| Why is a forensic
interview done? |
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A forensic interview is conducted at the request of team members
when there is reason to believe that a child may have been
abused or witnessed a traumatic event.
The advocacy center interviewing process reduces the number
of interviews and interviewers to which a child is subjected,
and enhances the chances of obtaining evidence for prosecution.
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| What happens
before the interview? |
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The child and family
members wait in a room full of toys and child-friendly furniture.
The interviewer meets with the child before the interview and
spends some time playing with them and getting to know them
before starting the interview.
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| What happens
with the child during the interview? |
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Children
are interviewed at the center in a room that is decorated in
an age-appropriate, non-threatening manner. The CFAC team includes
law enforcement agents, child protective services investigators,
forensic interviewers, and a family advocate. Prior to interviewing
a child, the professionals share relevant information. A professional
interviewer then interviews the child on videotape using techniques
that are objective, non-leading and helpful in building evidence
for prosecution. CFAC staff are also responsible for scheduling
a physical examination if one is needed. |
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| What happens
if there is no disclosure? |
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A child’s first
interview at the advocacy center may or may not result in a disclosure.
When it does not result in a disclosure, the advocacy staff may
need to take time in a safe environment to build rapport with the
child. This increased rapport will, hopefully lead to the child
disclosing to the interviewer the facts regarding the abuse.
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| How are non-offending
family members supported? |
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The family members
meet with the family advocate. Family members receive systemic
information, referral service and support during this time. The
family advocate is available to family members as needed after
the interview.
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| Who does the
advocacy center collaborate with? |
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| The advocacy
center also offers: |
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Education - The advocacy center provides education to
the Elkhart County community, as well as training for the professionals
who provide services to abused and neglected children and their
families.
Community education - the Child and Family Advocacy Center staff
provides presentations and in-service training on child abuse
issues to local groups, but are not limited to advocacy center
and system information. Topics include child abuse indicators
and reporting procedures, date rape, domestic violence and shaken
infant syndrome.
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