Victim & Family Advocacy
Our Quiet Place to Visit
When children/teens and families enter our Child Advocacy Center, they feel like they are walking into a home, not an office. They are greeted with warm smiles from caring staff who welcome them to a place built just for them.
The first room the children enter is filled with stuffed animals, toys, and games for them to play with while they wait for their parent or caregiver to talk to our staff to begin the CAC process. The children will be interviewed in a comfortable and calming room by one person who will enable them to talk freely about themselves and about what may have happened to them.
Family and Victim Advocacy
Support is provided to children and teens from the moment they enter the Child Advocacy Center throughout their involvement by our Victim Advocate. Follow-up phone calls, letters, court preparation and support, referral, and other services are provided to the children and their families to increase their comfort and encourage access to and participation in the investigation, prosecution, treatment, and support services.
Counseling
Free counseling is provided by a trained, professional counselor for children and teens who come through the Child Advocacy Center. The counseling is trauma-focused and is designed to reduce the impact of the abuse and help the child heal and become stronger. Also, the counselor can meet with the non-offending parent/caregiver and siblings if needed, to help them deal with their emotions and feelings.
Support Groups
A support group for teen girls, “TAG” (named by the first group and stands for Turn Around Girls) meets monthly and focuses on self-esteem, character building, and interpersonal skill development. The group leader is from Lifelines Rape Crisis Center in Mobile, and the group is free of charge to participants. Referrals to the group are made by our counselor and team members.