What We Do
Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas plays a vital role in helping abused children and their families enter into the healing light of recovery.
Our Purpose
Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas and our partners are the front-line responders to reports of child sexual abuse in Denton, Wise, and Jack Counties. We are the only non-profit organization that uses a unified approach to provide education, healing and justice to children, families and our community.
Our Mission
We empower child abuse victims, their families and our community through education, healing and justice.
Our Vision
We will break the cycle of child abuse by educating families and our community to proactively protect children.
Coordinated Investigation
When someone reports an outcry of child abuse, the report first goes through the local police department or child protective services. The Advocacy Center team works together to prepare for a visit from the child and their family and coordinates an investigation into the outcry.
A large part of what makes Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas successful in providing hope and healing to victims of child abuse is our coordinated investigations between the Advocacy Center staff and affiliated team members. The investigation team, consisting of law enforcement, Child Protective Services, forensic interviewers, family advocates and nurses work hand-in-hand with the District Attorney’s Office to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. The District Attorney’s Crimes Against Children division maintain above a 90 percent conviction rate thanks to collaboration across agencies.
Forensic Interview
When a report of abuse is made, local law enforcement or the Department of Family Protective Services makes an appointment at the Advocacy Center for the child.
We support neutral investigations by conducting specialized, fact-finding interviews. Through this process we gather details of abuse in a neutral, age-appropriate and trauma-informed manner. In doing so, we are able to coordinate with all involved investigators, so that they are able to observe the interview, and the child can be interviewed as few times as possible, reducing trauma.
Therapy
Every child who receives therapy from Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas is under the care of our dedicated team of therapists and masters-level clinical interns, completely free of charge.
Family Advocacy
Our family advocacy team is committed to guiding and educating families through each step of the investigation, prosecution and healing process. They also provide resources to the family.
The Advocacy Center provides families with emergency resources, including food, toiletries and clothes. We have a food pantry and clothing closet at all three of our locations. Our family advocates will also refer families to other community resources and assist with filing Crime Victim’s Compensation.
Results of Our Initiatives
Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas plays a vital role in helping abused children and their families enter into the healing light of recovery.