Services
Advocacy
The services of a victim advocate are essential in achieving the overall goals of reduction in trauma and secondary victimization for children.
Advocacy services consist of:
- Welcoming and orienting the child and family to the CSC
- Providing crisis intervention during the initial visit
- Enhancing the cooperation of the family in the court process
- Accompanying the child and non-offending parent to court
- Facilitating linkages with other types of basic needs including housing, food, job services, clothing, and others
Forensic Interviews
Forensic Interviewing of children is a specialized process designed to gather information from children who may have experienced or witnessed abuse or trauma. Each child’s well-being is the focus of trained forensic interviewers who are trauma informed using a collaborative approach.
Important: Forensic Interviewing is a complex and sensitive process. If you have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse call the Arkansas Child Abuse hotline and local law enforcement immediately.
Medical
Specialized medical evaluations and sexual assault exams are made available to all children who are victims of suspected abuse; particularly sexual abuse. All forensic medical examinations are conducted by a specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Services also include sexually transmitted infection testing, pregnancy testing, and case consultations.
Therapy
The Children’s Safety Center provides a free, comprehensive treatment program for the child victims by using evidence-based treatments for trauma such as Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Trauma Informed Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
The goals of treatment for the child include:
- Develop and/or improve emotional regulation skills
- Strengthen positive attachments with caregivers
- Improve ability to function normally in school and the community
- Understand what healthy, safe relationships are
- Reduce self-blame and feelings of guilt
- Provide a safe supportive place to process traumatic experiences
- Develop a sense of hope for the future
Prevention Trainings
See the following programs: Empower Me! and Prevention Trainings for more information.