CHANGING THE SYSTEM
Child abuse is a community problem.
No single agency, individual, or discipline has the necessary knowledge, skills or resources to provide the assistance needed by children. In the past, the system designed to deal with child victims of alleged abuse was fragmented, adult oriented, and insensitive to the needs of the child. Professionals from child protection, law enforcement, legal, medical, and mental health systems would meet and talk with the child separately and repeatedly in facilities designed for adults. It became apparent that this fragmented and adult oriented response to these abuse cases was not meeting the needs of these children and their families.
Children’s Advocacy Centers provide a neutral, child friendly environment where professionals and agencies utilize a multi-disciplinary team approach to alleged child abuse cases. The benefits of Children’s Advocacy Centers are prompt on-going free services, a reduction in trauma to child victims and their families, and a community engaged in child protection and child abuse prevention.
The purpose of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia (CACGA) is to promote, assist, and support the development, growth, and continuation of Children’s Advocacy Centers in the state of Georgia. CACGA’s vision is that every child in Georgia will have access to the services provided by a Children’s Advocacy Center when abuse is reported.
SafePath is a Full Member of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia.
National Children’s Alliance strongly believes that the combined professional wisdom and skill of the multidisciplinary team approach results in a more complete understanding of case issues and the most effective child- and family-focused system response possible.
SafePath is an Accredited Member of the National Children’s Alliance.