What is a MDT?

Children’s Advocacy Centers were created with the purpose to better serve children who are victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or witness to violent crime. In order to respond to child abuse in communities, CACs use a multi-disciplinary team, "MDT," approach. This inter-agency approach includes law enforcement, social services, medical, prosecutors, victim advocacy and mental health professionals. The MDT approach ensures the most effective coordinated response possible.

The Multi-Disciplinary Approach improves communication among agencies, makes pertinent information available for all involved professionals, and prevents duplication of services.

Prior to the Children’s Advocacy Center model, children would often be treated as adults and were expected to disclose what happened to dozens of professionals. Because forensic interviews are conducted at CACs, the number of people with whom a child discloses to is significantly reduced, which helps prevent revictimization.

According to the National Children’s Alliance, “Children’s advocacy centers are modeled on the simple but powerful concept of coordination between community agencies and professionals involved in the intervention system. Today, there are more than 750 children’s advocacy centers nationwide, and more on the way. Children's advocacy centers emphasize the coordination of investigation and intervention services by bringing together professionals and agencies as a multidisciplinary team to create a child-focused approach to child abuse cases.”

What is the National Children's Alliance?

As of 2012, the number of children served by Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country increased by 175 percent since 2000. Started by former Congressman Robert E. "Bud" Cramer in 1985 in Huntsville, Alabama as an effort to create a better system to help abused children, CACs are now located throughout the world.
The National Children’s Alliance, which is the “national leader on training, technical assistance, research, support and education for children’s advocacy centers,” was created in 1998, a decade after the National Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers was instituted. NCA works with 775 Children’s Advocacy Centers and 47 State Chapters to minimize trauma for abused children, break the cycle of abuse and hold offenders accountable by offering services in several areas. Through accreditation, community awareness, training, funding and membership, NCA helps state chapters, local CACs and communities stand up for children.
Because the NCA exists, Children’s Advocacy Centers and State Chapters are able to provide the highest quality care and services, increase public understanding about child abuse and more effectively respond to the unique needs of commercially sexually exploited children.
In 2012, the NCA effectively administered $12,539,628 in federal grants to State Chapters and local Children’s Advocacy Centers, which improved services to child victims. The NCA also increased service coverage of CACs to more than 128 counties so that more children and communities could receive the help they needed!

For more information on the National Children's Alliance, click here and here.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. It evolved from the first Day of Unity in 1981 with the intent to connect advocates for survivors of domestic violence across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. During the month of October, advocates working to end domestic violence campaign for awareness and education. Children are also affected by domestic violence and it is important to understand how:

"Children witnessing domestic violence and living in an environment where violence occurs may experience some of the same trauma as abused children. Not all children are affected by domestic violence in the same way. Children may become fearful, inhibited, aggressive, antisocial, withdrawn, anxious, depressed, angry, confused; suffer from disturbed sleep, problems with eating, difficulties at school and challenges in making friends. Children often feel caught in the middle between their parents and find it difficult to talk to either of them. Adolescents may act out or exhibit risk-taking behaviors such as drug and alcohol use, running away, sexual promiscuity and criminal behavior. Young men may try to protect their mothers, or they may become abusive to their mothers themselves. Children may injured if they try to intervene in the violence in their homes."

There are several events happening in the area where you can show your support to end domestic violence!

New Orleans Family Justice Center- "Unmasking Domestic Violence Soiree" Oct. 20th

Loyola, Tulane, Dillard and Xavier Universities Take Back The Night! Oct. 23rd

Greater New Orleans Corvette Club: 22st Annual All Corvette Car Show on Oct. 19th, Proceeds From The Show Benefit The Metropolitan Center For Women & Children

Survivor Biographies

Last week we provided a list of books recommended for victims of child sexual abuse. This week, we are featuring some books written by child sexual abuse survivors who share their stories through biographies.

It is important to keep in mind that books should be used with therapy and not in place of counseling services. Remember to read each book before sharing with children!

"The emotions are strong throughout this well-written book and lead the reader into a world few travel and survive."- Susan Murphy Milano, violence expert and author, Time's Up: A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abuse and Stalking Relationships









"Told in a voice that combines childlike wonder with grown-up wisdom…Fragoso manages to tell a disturbing story beautifully, leading readers into the secret world she inhabited for decades and even inspiring a modicum of sympathy for the man who manipulated and abused her."- Lisa Bonos The Washington Post

"A meticulously reported account of one girl's journey through a violent and unpredictable childhood. Holloway's strong voice and remarkable sense of humor, in spite of the horror in her past, make this an unforgettable read."- Hope Edelman, New York Times bestselling author of Motherless Daughters

"To escape the horror of violent abuse, the two-year-old child 'went to sleep' and created the inner world of 'the Troops,' the 92 voices that shielded her from pain, but that she didn't know existed until adulthood. this is a journey through the fragmented world of the multiple personality—told by the Troop."- Amazon.com.

"With great courage and startling compassion, Silverman tells [her] story. . . . Harrowing in its depiction of savage violation and profoundly moving in its portrait of a child's fear, confusion, and desperate search for a safe place."- Kirkus Reviews

 "Stolen Innocence is written with conviction and clarity. [Erin Merryn] doesn't hold back, and I respect her honesty and openness...By the end of the book, I thought I was reading passages from a much older adult than a high school senior. Erin has grown into a strong, wise, intelligent, perceptive, spiritual, caring adult."- Susan Reedquist, The Children's Advocacy Center

"This book is a study in courage, honesty, and the pursuit of truth, even at the risk of alienating the ones you love. Erin's story will stay with you long after you have finished it."- Lee Woodruff, Author of Perfectly Imperfect and In an Instant

Reading Resources

After a child discloses sexual abuse, caregivers may have many questions about what happens next. Here is a list of books that can be helpful to a family where a child is a victim of sexual abuse. It is important to keep in mind that books should be used with therapy and not in place of counseling services. Remember to read each book before sharing it with children!

For Children

My Body Is Private by Linda Walvoord Girard

Telling Isn't Tattling by Kathryn M. Hammerseng

Your Body Belongs to You by Cornelia Spelman

Those Are My Private Parts by Diane Hansen (for young children)

Tears of Joy by Barbara Behm (ages 4 and up)

For Teenagers

It Happened To Me: A Teen's Guide to Overcoming Sexual Abuse (workbook) by William Lee Carter

We Are Not Alone: A Teenage Boy's Personal Account of Child Sexual Abuse from Disclosure Through Prosecution & Treatment by Jade C. Angelica

We Are Not Alone: A Teenage Girl's Personal Account of Child Sexual Abuse from Disclosure Through Prosecution & Treatment by Jade C. Angelica

Invisible Girls: The Truth About Sexual Abuse by Dr. Patti Feuersteisen

For Parents/Caregivers

Children Changed by Trauma: A Healing Guide by Debra Alexander

When Your Child Has Been Molested: A Parent's Guide to Healing & Recovery by Kathryn Brohl

Healing the Harm Done: A Parent's Guide to Helping Your Child Overcome the Effects of Sexual Abuse by Jennifer Levy-Peck

For Adult Survivors of Abuse

Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide to Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Wendy Maltz

The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis

The Courage to Heal Workbook by Laura Davis

Victims No Longer: The Classic Guide for Men Recovering from Sexual Child Abuse by Mike Lew

For Special Populations

No Secrets No Lies: How Black Families Can Heal From Sexual Abuse  by Robin Stone

I Will Survive: The African American Guide to Healing From Sexual Assaults and Abuse by Lori Robinson

I Can Be Safe! by the Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services

Cyberbullying: What It Is and How to Protect Your Children

The internet has brought along many conveniences. Shopping, searching and being social have all become accessible with the click of an icon. Unfortunately, the convenience of connection has led to the development of something that negatively affects 1 in 3 children: cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is done online or through cell phones. Like its counterpart and predecessor, bullying, it involves humiliating, harassing and terrorizing the intended target. Parents should be aware of the impact cyberbullying may have on their child. It can cause low self esteem and can lead to a deterioration of their self confidence. Cyberbullies are not able to sense how hurtful their actions are because they are unable to witness the reactions of their victims, so they tend to torment further than other forms of bullying.

Some ways to protect your children include:

• Block communication from cyberbullies and delete messages before reading them
• Never post or share personal information online
• Never share their internet passwords with someone (other than a caregiver)
• Never put anything online through email or text that you wouldn’t want someone you don’t trust seeing
• Do not send messages or post anything online when they are upset

For more information on how to prevent cyberbullying or how to tell if this is affecting your family, visit here and here.

If you or someone you know feels suicidal as a result of cyberbullying, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

2012 NCA Report is IN!

The National Children’s Alliance annual report for 2012 was recently released! Not only has NCA expanded CAC development in underserved areas, but there has also been an increase in community awareness and advocacy!

The National Children’s Alliance is an organization that advocates and helps communities in providing a multi-disciplinary approach and comprehensive response to victims of child abuse. Today, there are 775 Children’s Advocacy Centers and 47 State Chapters throughout the country! The 2012 report states that “15 states have 100 percent service coverage and 2/3 of all counties have access to Children’s Advocacy Centers.”

According to the 2012 report, the number of children served by Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country has increased by 175% since 2000.

2012 NCA Statistics

• 65% of the total number of children served last year were sexual abuse victims
• 39% were not old enough to attend kindergarten
• 96% knew their perpetrator
•  39%  were 0-6 years old
• 36% were 7-12 years old
• 25% were 13-18 years old
• 63% were females
• 37% were males
• 40% were abused by a parent or parent’s significant other

NCA, through supporting Children’s Advocacy Centers, is helping communities stand up for children.

For more information on the 2012 National Children’s Alliance Annual Report, click here.