What is CAC?

A Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a comfortable, private, child-friendly setting that provides a safe space for child victims of abuse and assault to talk about what happened. The purpose of a CAC is to provide a well-coordinated multidisciplinary team response to allegations of child abuse or victimization, beginning with a forensic interview and including case management services for children and their non-offending family members or guardians.

The Loudoun CAC

    • Reduces trauma for children who have been victims of abuse.
    • Reduces the number of interviews children have to endure during the investigation.
    • Provides a Victim Advocate to assist children and their non-offending family members access mental health and other support services
    • Provides a specialized, neutral, forensic interviewer for children’s interviews.
    • Offers links to specialized medical examination and treatment.
    • Increases communication and collaboration among community agencies investigating, prosecuting, and providing support services.
    • Increases successful prosecutions of child abuse cases.
    • Provides funding for training for investigators and other child abuse professionals.
During its first 10 years of operation, December 2008 to February 2018, the Loudoun CAC served over 1500 children through interviews and/or case review.

Why Does Loudoun Need A CAC?

The Loudoun County Community is not immune from family violence and child abuse.

  • The U.S. statistics are shocking:
  • 1 in 4 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18.
  • 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18.
  • 1 in 5 children are solicited sexually while on the internet.
  • An estimated 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse exist in America today.
  • Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults (including assaults on adults) occur to children ages 17 and under.

Percentage Abuser

Stranger

Trusted Non-family Member

Family Member