Memphis Child Advocacy Center

THE MISSION IS TO SERVE CHILDREN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL AND SEVERE PHYSICAL ABUSE THROUGH PREVENTION, EDUCATION, AND INTERVENTION.

THE MEMPHIS CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER (CAC) SUPPORTS SAFETY FOR CHILDREN THROUGH INFORMED PREVENTION, COMMUNITY COLLABORATION, AND A TEAM APPROACH TO HEALING AND JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD SEXUAL AND SEVERE PHYSICAL ABUSE. THE MEMPHIS CAC FACILITATES A BEST PRACTICE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF SUSPECTED CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE OR OTHER SEVERE ABUSE. THE SHELBY COUNTY CHILD PROTECTION INVESTIGATION TEAM, HEADQUARTERED AT THE MEMPHIS CAC, INCLUDES 15 AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION, AND TREATMENT OF REPORTED ABUSE. FOLLOWING A REPORT OF ABUSE, FAMILIES CAN COME TO OUR CENTRAL, CHILD-FRIENDLY LOCATION FOR HELP. THE COMBINED KNOWLEDGE OF PROFESSIONALS FROM MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES RESULTS IN A STRONGER INVESTIGATION, FOSTERS HEALING FROM TRAUMA, AND PURSUES ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THOSE WHO PERPETRATE ABUSE. THE FORENSIC INTERVIEWERS EMPLOYED BY THE MEMPHIS CAC USE A NATIONALLY ACCEPTED PROTOCOL WHEN INTERVIEWING SUSPECTED VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE. THE INTERVIEWS ARE NEUTRAL, LEGALLY-DEFENSIBLE, AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE. IN FY2021, 618 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN A FORENSIC INTERVIEW AT THE CAC. EACH INTERVIEW WAS OBSERVED BY INVESTIGATORS VIA CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION. IN FY 2021, 253 CHILDREN, ALONG WITH THEIR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS, RECEIVED EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPY. OUTCOME EVALUATION INDICATES THAT THE CENTER'S THERAPY SERVICES RESULT IN STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN POST- TRAUMATIC STRESS SYMPTOMS EXPERIENCED BY VICTIMIZED CHILDREN. EVALUATION ALSO SHOWS THAT PARENTS/CAREGIVERS FEEL BETTER EQUIPPED TO SUPPORT AND PROTECT THEIR CHILD AFTER THERAPY IS CONCLUDED. CAC VICTIM ADVOCATES CONNECT FAMILIES, AS NEEDED, TO OUTSIDE SERVICES (EXAMPLES INCLUDE HOUSING, FOOD PANTRY, VICTIM'S COMPENSATION) AND HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE LEGAL SYSTEM. IN ADDITION TO CRITICAL SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE, THE MEMPHIS CAC PROVIDES PREVENTION TRAINING FOR PARENTS AND ADULTS WHO WORK WITH CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS AND DAYCARES, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS, AND YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS. IN FY 2021, THE CAC PREVENTION TEAM TRAINED 1,201 PARENTS, PROFESSIONALS, AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, RESEARCH-INFORMED STEWARDS OF CHILDREN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TRAINING. EVALUATION SURVEYS COMPLETED SIX MONTHS FOLLOWING THE TRAINING INDICATE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN ADULTS TAKING SPECIFIC STEPS WHICH DECREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ABUSE TO OCCUR. THE CAC ALSO OFFERS CHILD PROTECTION POLICY WORKSHOPS AND CONSULTATION FOR YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS. THE MEMPHIS CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER WAS CERTIFIED AS A CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AGENCY BY THE STATE OF TENNESSEE IN 2001. A FULL MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE SINCE 1992, THE CENTER MEETS THE RIGOROUS MEMBERSHIP STANDARDS AND WAS REACCREDITED IN 2020. IN 2007, THE MEMPHIS CAC WAS RECOGNIZED WITH THE UNITED WAY BRAD WANZER AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR THEIR HIGH LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY, OUTCOME MEASURES, AND COLLABORATION. IN 2021, THE CENTER WAS RECOGNIZED WITH ONE OF CITYCURRENT'S SPARK AWARDS FOR IGNITING CHANGE AND MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE GREATER MEMPHIS COMMUNITY. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BEST PRACTICE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION PROGRAMS AVAILABLE AT THE MEMPHIS CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER, VISIT MEMPHISCAC.ORG.