Without a child advocacy center, a child and his or her family are left to navigate the system on their own. Children must retell their story of abuse over and over again to police, social workers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, judges, and mental health professionals, in environments that might feel intimidating and unfamiliar. Unfortunately, this process creates more trauma for the child and their family.
Today, when an allegation of abuse is made, Prescott House Child Advocacy Center provides a better way. The child is welcomed into a comfortable, home-like setting where a multi-disciplinary team of professionals gathers together under one roof. Children receive a forensic interview while investigators watch the interview via closed-circuit television. This prevents the child from having to tell their story multiple times. The child and family are given access to resources, provided therapy, or referred for therapy as well as medical services. By minimizing the trauma of recounting their abuse, Prescott House is the place where healing begins and hope is restored one child and family at a time.
