Our Story
Child abuse is a major problem and a major concern in our community and has been for decades. We know the problem exists, but the real question becomes “What happens to a child victim once he or she discloses?”
Often, agency personnel from law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, medical, victim advocacy and mental health services will respond to child abuse cases. Traditionally, each agency or professional had a different role in the investigation and intervention process. Sometimes, their efforts to fulfill these roles resulted in multiple interviews of the victim – and in re-traumatizing the victim they are seeking to assist. In the past, there was no mechanism for coordinating these services. However, in 1976 this began to change when a network of advocates from Sullivan County representing law enforcement, the courts, social agencies and the medical profession began to work together to provide coordinated services. This team of professionals was known as Comprehensive Emergency Services (CES). The CES advocates soon realized that there was no mechanism in place for coordinating services.
The CES advocates, community leaders and business professionals launched a capital campaign to build the first Children’s Advocacy Center in Tennessee. The idea for the center was modeled on the simple but powerful concept of coordination between community agencies and professionals involved in the intervention system. Additionally, the center would provide a safe, friendly environment for sexually and severely abused children and their non-offending caregiver. In 1991 the Children’s Advocacy Center of Sullivan County opened its doors for operation.
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Sullivan County is a private, non-profit agency. The Center is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board serves as the governing, policy making and fiscally responsible arm of the operation.
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Sullivan County provides the care and services needed for abused children and non-offending caregivers under one roof. The CAC is a safe, welcoming, child friendly center. Our professionals come to the child, not the other way around. This prevents the possible re-victimization of the child by having to repeat his or her story over and over to several unaligned agencies. The professionals involved are specialists in what they do, and they work together as a team, coordinated by the CAC staff to keep the process simple and effective. In addition, the support offered to the child's non–offending family members ensures that the child will have a supportive, knowledgeable family to proceed with them through this often traumatic time. All programs and services are offered completely free of charge for as long as the client needs the services.
While we are not a residential facility, we are a child friendly, state–of–the–art Center uniquely designed to serve children who have experienced the unimaginable. Children are able to come to a child friendly environment designed and equipped primarily for children and the services they need. The Center has a playroom and kitchen, yet it is equipped with state of the art equipment, such as audio/video monitoring and medical equipment to ensure that the best professional services can be provided.
We strive to meet our mission through collaborative working relationships with local police departments, the District Attorney, Department of Children's Services and mental health professionals. In addition to providing direct services such as interviewing, medical examinations, and counseling to abused children, the Center also facilitates the teamwork necessary for all involved agencies to work collaboratively in consistently meeting children's needs and to successfully investigate cases and prosecute offenders.