What is the Child Advocacy Center?
The Cortland County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a community organization dedicated to the prevention, education, and investigation of child abuse.
With the District Attorney’s Office as the lead agency, a coordinated plan of action is developed. Together, law enforcement, prosecutors, social workers, advocates, medical and mental health professionals provide high-quality, specialized services for abused children and their families. The MDT’s goal is to reduce the trauma that child victims experience after they report abuse and to strengthen the community response to that abuse.
The CAC provides a safe, comfortable, child-friendly setting where law enforcement and child protective services come together to talk with alleged child victims (ages 17 years old and under) and their non-offending caregivers.
An Advocate meets with the non-offending caregivers to offer referrals to forensic medical exam, specialized counseling, victim services funding, and any other programs in the area that may meet the family’s needs. The Advocate provides support to the family throughout the entire process from investigation to prosecution.
Waiting Area
Play area
Children’s Interview room
Teen Interview room
