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  Welcome to the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County's Website.  As our website is a work in progress, please check back frequently to see revisions and new additions.


 Benefits of a Children's Advocacy Center
 

The CAC Team Approach
The CAC model is based on a philosophy that  it takes a team of dedicated professionals sharing their knowledge, skills, and resources to serve the needs of children and families who are victims of abuse.  The Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County serves as a child friendly place for community partners with collective expertise to participate in the investigation of reported allegations of sexual abuse, witness to violence, and abuse to disabled adults.  The Sexual Abuse Intervention Network (SAIN) is a component of the Children’s Advocacy Center which is a process of investigation, prosecution, AND healing for child victims of abuse. The CAC assists in the tracking and monitoring of cases to ensure no child falls through the cracks. The team works together to reduce the trauma victims experience and enhance the ability to respond to child maltreatment.

 Forensic Interview
Children can become confused or  traumatized when  interviewed by several people regarding an allegation of  sexual abuse. At the Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol  County a specially trained child  interviewer  talks to  the child about  the abuse. A neutral fact finding interview is conducted in order to limit the amount of times a child needs to tell their story. Team members observe the interview through a one  way mirror or through live closed circuit technology.

Health/Medical Services
The Bristol County CAC team includes an Advance Practice Nurse from the Massachusetts Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Pedi SANE) Program.  The Pedi SANE’s role is multi-faceted and with parental consent includes:

·     ●Non-Invasive, expert forensic sexual abuse examinations, photo-documentation and completion of forensic evidence collection as indicated

·      ●Consultation with children, parents, and other medical providers for sexual abuse related health concerns

●Consultation with other team members regarding medical issues, forensic exam, results and possible exam interpretations

Care provided by the Pedi SANE is focused to the health and healing of the child and their family.  Pedi SANE services are available to all children when there is a concern or disclosure of sexual abuse, and are provided at no charge to the family.  The Nurse Examiner is also available to provide consultation and education for community partners.

Resource Assistant & Victim Support
The Center provides extensive services to   children and their families, including linkage to mental health services, domestic violence   centers, and rape crisis centers. Victim Support Advocates provide investigation updates,    support, and court accompaniment. The center provides specialized counseling referrals and outreach services as needed by each case. All CAC services are customized to meet each family’s cultural needs.

 

Team Reviews and Case Tracking

The CAC places a high priority  on healing for victims of abuse. Team reviews and case tracking help assure that children and families are receiving the support they need to move forward This may include information and support regarding prosecution of the case or information about available community  resources and general advocacy.  Collaboration and information sharing are paramount  to both investigation  and service provision to victims of abuse.

Community Outreach
The CAC is committed to program development based on the needs of the communities within Bristol County. The center benefits from information provided by many partner and affiliated agencies in the field of child welfare. This information assists in the evaluation of community needs which can help with the development of programs aimed at aiding child victims of abuse. The CAC is committed to the ongoing education and development of prevention programs in Bristol County.
Report Child Abuse (Mandated Reporting)
 If you suspect any case of child abuse or neglect, report it immediately to the local police department or by calling the Massachusetts Department of Social Services. Bristol County affiliated DSS offices are located in Attleboro, Fall River, and New Bedford. After hour reports can be made to the Department of Social Services hotline at 1-800-792-5200. Referrals for forensic interviews to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County must come from the Department of Social Services, local police departments and/or the District Attorney’s office. Medical consultation and examination from the Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse  Examiners are available to community medical providers as needed and can be accessed at the CAC, 508-674-6111. Incidents of abuse to disabled adults should be reported to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC), 1-800-426-9009.
 
 Partner Agencies    

Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County is a member of the National Children’s Alliance (NCA) and works in conjunction with the Regional and National CAC to provide service to children and their families.


 

 


Office of Bristol County District Attorney
C. Samuel Sutter   
508-677-3206

Massachusetts Department of Social Services
 Attleboro  508-431-9500
Fall River  508-235-9800
New Bedford  508-910-1000

 MA Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program

 Child & Family Services  
  
Bristol County Police Departments
 



Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County is made possible by the generous donations of the citizens of Bristol County.

To make a tax deductible donation please send to:

Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County
139 South Main Street
Fall River, MA 02721