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WARREN, Pa. – In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Warren County Children’s Advocacy Center is joining with the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Pennsylvania to help parents and caregivers understand what they can do to prevent child abuse.
According to information provided by the Warren County CAC, 15,735 children went to one of the Commonwealth’s CACs because of suspected abuse, with 75% of those cases involving alleged sexual abuse. More than half of the child victims served by CACs were under 13.
“In Pennsylvania, 41 Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) provide a child-friendly response to child abuse that involves collaborative work across agencies, specialized forensic interviews and medical evaluations, victim advocacy, and trauma therapy,” the CAC said in a release.
The Warren County CAC serves both Warren and Forest County, and includes professionals from multiple disciplines who help coordinate investigations, interventions, and prosecutions. They also offer specialized treatment to reduce trauma and promote healing. All these services, plus community education and prevention, are provided for free.
“Children and their non-offending family members are welcomed to the Warren County CAC, which is a child-focused and -centered space,” the CAC said. “The Warren County CAC is an open and affirming safe space, where all children and non-offending family members are welcome regardless of any number of limiting factors including gender, race, and religion. While at the CAC, our families and their stories are treated with respect and dignity.”
