CHILDREN'S HOME
CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER

Child and Family Advocacy

While children are traumatized by abuse or by witnessing violence, their families are also deeply impacted. Children need support from their families to heal. At CAC, we offer families the resources and support they need to process the trauma, stabilize their lives, learn healthy coping skills and build healthy relationships.

Our Child and Family Advocates are committed to helping families navigate the healing process that can sometimes be confusing and overwhelming. We provide support by answering any questions, helping families understand their legal rights, guiding them through the court process, and connecting them to any necessary resources, such as referrals to mental health providers, case managers, community navigators and more. 

It is important for families to remember that they are not alone. We are here to help children and families find justice and healing from traumatic experiences. 

If a Child Discloses Abuse

Do:

• Practice your response before the situation arises.
• Ensure your body language conveys to the child that you hear and believe what they are telling you.
• Write down the exact words the child used in the disclosure.
• Thank the child for having the courage to tell you.
• As soon as possible, inform the child what will happen next with reporting.
• Report the abuse.
• Protect the child by not discussing the disclosure with others.

Don’t:

• Use shocked or disbelieving body language.
• Express doubts to the child if you are skeptical.
• Record the child’s statement.
• Ask the child to repeat their statement.
• Suggest or guess that the child might have been abused.
• Make a conclusion about the validity of the allegation.
• Ask the child any questions.

Follow these steps to ensure you appropriately report any allegations:

• If the child is in danger, call 911.
• As a parent, understand your child's real and emotional need for your support. Statistics suggest a child's resiliency is directly related to parental support.
• As an educator or medical professional, understand and follow your school or clinic's policy for filing a report. Always follow up to ensure a report was made!
• Contact your local Child Protection Services. 
  • In South Dakota, call 1.877.244.0864.
  • Intake Specialists are available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
  • If you are not in South Dakota, find your state's child abuse reporting phone number here. 
• If reporting an emergency situation before 8 am, after 5 pm, on the weekends, or during a holiday, please contact your local law enforcement. 
• If appropriate, Child Protection Services or law enforcement will contact a Child Advocacy Center near you to schedule an interview.