FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the purpose of the Children's Advocacy
Center (CAC)?
It is to provide a safe, child-friendly environment for child victims
of sexual abuse/serious physical abuse to participate in the forensic
interview. The main goal is to reduce trauma to the child by videotaping
the interview; therefore, decreasing the amount of times the child has
to tell his/her story.
What is CASA?
CASA Volunteers are Court Appointed
Special Advocates
for children—trained community volunteers appointed by a judge
to speak up for abused children. CASA Volunteers work as appointed officers
of the court, working with the judge and alongside attorneys and social
workers from case inception to its completion. For information on the
CASA program and how to become a volunteer, click
here.
A child is abused...What is going to happen
next? How long will this take?
The investigators will interview the alleged perpetrator at a convenient
time soon after the incident. Depending on the information they have
obtained and his/her responses to the interview, they will proceed as
necessary with either further investigation or arrest, if possible.
The length of time this investigation takes is completely dependent
on information received and the amount of evidence obtained. Then the
case will go to the State's Attorney for review and there will be a
discussion at our monthly meeting, at which time the Children's Action
Network will contact you with follow-up information to keep you informed.
