Our CAC Model
The primary goal of the Memphis Child Advocacy Center is to ensure that children are not further victimized by the intervention systems designed to protect them.
The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) houses personnel from the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS), Memphis Police Department, the District Attorney General’s Office, and Le Bonheur's Children's Hospital to enable more effective and efficient investigations of child abuse. These agencies, along with CAC staff, help make up the Child Protection Investigation Team, or CPIT. The CAC provides a Team Coordinator to facilitate inter-agency communication among all CPIT team members.
Investigations are conducted and a determination is made about prosecution of the alleged abuser. During the course of the investigation, CPIT investigators may refer children, ages 3 to 17, who have disclosed sexual abuse or who are suspected victims, to the Child Advocacy Center for forensic interviews. Additionally, a victim may be referred for counseling to the Child Advocacy Center or another counseling program.
The Child Protection Investigation Team came together at the Child Advocacy Center in June 1997. The goal was to provide a location where officers of the Memphis Police Department, case workers from the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, prosecutors and investigators with the District Attorney General’s Office, and therapists could work together in cases of sexual and severe physical child abuse. This cooperation has succeeded in improving the quality of investigations as well as providing a child-friendly atmosphere for victims of child abuse.
Representatives of the CPIT agencies meet every morning at the CAC. At the meeting, agencies share information and discuss each case of severe physical or sexual abuse that has been reported within the last 24 hours. With this shared information, the team members develop a plan for investigation as well as protection of the child victim.
At the conclusion of an investigation, the police officer and investigating DCS worker meet with the Assistant District Attorney General to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to present the case to the Grand Jury.
All investigations do not lead to prosecution of the alleged perpetrator. However, services at the Child Advocacy Center, including education, support, and counseling help children and parents overcome trauma. Through this support, the Center seeks to heighten awareness of sexual abuse and safety issues, and to decrease risk of future victimization.
For information on the number of children and families served in the last year, click here.
