Child sexual abuse is a common phenomenon within in the United States, with prevalence estimates ranging from 6% to 62% of females and 3% to 31% of males within the general population being sexually abused by the age of 18 years old (Bass & Davis, 1988; Finklehor, 1979; Hopper, 2002, Peters, Wyatt, Finklehor, 1986). Once a case is reported to law enforcement or child protective services an investigation is initiated. This investigation process can be as traumatizing and confusing to the child and their family as the initial abuse.

When children are asked to retell their story numerous times it can produce conflicting information further traumatizing the child and hurting the prosecutions’ case, by discrediting the victims’ testimony. Medical examinations usually do not produce substantial evidence on which a case can be built (Denton, 2001: Kreisher, 2001).

In 1985 Nancy Chandler (now executive director of the National Children’s Alliance), District Attorney Robert "Bud" Cramer (currently, U.S. Congressman from Alabama), and others meet in Huntsville Alabama to discuss how to serve victims of child abuse and severe neglect in a more sensitive and expeditious manner (Kreisher, 2001). This discussion birthed the development of CACs throughout the nation, with over 500 CACs nationwide today (4/25/03) (National Children’s Alliance, 2002).

CACs offer a warm child friendly environment where a trained forensic interviewer performs a developmentally appropriate interview. The CAC model minimizes the number of people the child has to talk to and questions they are asked to answer. These interviews are observed, from behind a one-way mirror, by the investigative team. The investigative team is able to communicate with the interviewer at various times, during the interview, to get the information needed to protect the child, collect evidence, and prosecute the offender (Denton, 2001; Kreisher, 2001).

At the core of the CAC model is the multi-disciplinary team. The multi-disciplinary approach to investigation is both efficient and effective in the prosecution of child abuse and severe neglect cases, and in decreasing child fatalities (Bradshaw & Allen, 1990; Denton, 2001; Faller & Henry, 2000; Tjaden & Anhalt, 1993). When law enforcement officers, child protective services workers, and prosecutors do not communicate regularly or at all, it weakens the prosecution’s case (Kreisher, 2001). In the state of Virginia each jurisdiction is encouraged to have in place a multi-disciplinary team. The Virginia Code 63.1-248.6 (K) states:

The local department (DSS) shall foster, when practicable, the creation, maintenance and coordination of hospital and community-based multi-disciplinary teams which shall include where possible, but not be limited to, members of the medical, mental health, social work, nursing, education, legal, and law-enforcement professions... (VDSS--CPS manual, 2002, p. 209).

The code defines the function of each multi-disciplinary team to coordinate services for abused children and their families, and develop innovative programs for prevention, detection, and treatment of child abuse. This legislation provides a structure to support the development of CACs in Virginia.

References

Bass, E. & Davis, L. (1988). The courage to heal: A guide for women survivors of child sexual abuse. New York: Harper & Row.

Bradshaw, T. L. & Alan, E. (1990). Beyond a reasonable doubt: Factors that influence the Legal disposition of child sexual abuses cases. Crime & Delinquency, 36 (2), 276-285.

Denton, M. J. (2001, November). Child fatalities prevention: The programs states are Using to combat the problem. Unpublished manuscript, Radford University School of Social Work.

Faller, K. C. & Henry, J. (2000). Child sexual abuse: A case study in community collaboration. Child abuse and neglect, 24, 1215-1225.

Finklehor, D. (1979). Sexually victimized children. New York: Free Press.

Hooper, J. (2002). Sexual abuse of males: Prevalence, possible lasting effects, and Resources. Retrieved 4/14/03 from website: www.jimhooper.com/male-ab/

Kreisher, K. (2001, November). Children’s advocacy centers: Changing the system to Serve children better. Children’s Voice.

McFarlane, K. (1982). Promises, promises. Keynote address at 1982 Parents United National Conference.

National Children’s Alliance (2002). Publications. Website: http://www.nca-online.org.

Peters, S. D., Wyatt, G. E., & Finklehor, D. (1986). Prevalence. In D. Finklehor (Ed.). A Sourcebook of child sexual abuse (pp. 15-59). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Tjaden, P. G. & Anhalt, J. (1994). The impact of joint law enforcement-child protective Services investigations in child maltreatment cases.Denver, CO: Center of Policy Research.

Virginia Department of Social Services (2002, January). VDSS: Child protective services (Vol. VII, Sect. III, Chap. A, pp. 209-12). Richmond, VA: Author.