Child Advocacy Center of Greater Waterbury

The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of Greater Waterbury is a child-focused, community-based center that provides a trauma-informed, safe, supportive environment for children and their families who have experienced sexual abuse, physical abuse, witness to violence, domestic minor sex trafficking, and other critical incidents. The CAC provides a comprehensive range of services including forensic interviews, specialized forensic medical exams, trauma-focused mental health and victim advocacy, professional education, consultation, and prevention services.

The CAC draws its strength from the combined knowledge of multiple disciplines brought by team members working co-operatively. Partners include:

• Prosecutor, State’s Attorney’s Office - To prosecute adult criminal violators.
• Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office - To prosecute juvenile criminal violators with the primary goal of rehabilitating the youth.
• Department of Children and Families - To assure that the child is protected.
• DCF Attorney - To advise DCF investigators of appropriate legal action and to educate the team on DCF policies and procedures.
• Local Police Departments - To investigate possible criminal violations.
• Medical Personnel - To provide forensic medical exams, diagnosis and treatment of abused or neglected children.
• Director/Coordinator - To organize and facilitate team meetings and trainings, and ensure that the team is meeting the standards for Connecticut Multidisciplinary Teams.
• Forensic Interviewer - To conduct videotaped interviews of children using a standardized forensic interviewing format.
• CAC Family Advocate - To provide supportive counseling, education and referrals for the child and the parent.
• Mental Health Professionals - To provide information on the treatment of abused/neglected children and therapeutic services where indicated.

Team Approach

The trauma from multiple interviews experienced by the child is reduced through the CAC process.

• Ensures that appropriate safety measures are taken to protect the child.
• Children receive prompt mental health and medical treatment that is tailored to their specific needs and family situations
• More caregivers are empowered to protect their children.
• More offenders are held accountable.
• Professionals gain a better understanding and respect for each other’s roles and expertise.
• More effective decisions are made by sharing professional knowledge and expertise.
• The decision to prosecute is based on input from the child and family, as well as other CAC team members.
• Allegations of abuse are more thoroughly investigated.
• Cases are more quickly addressed and are less likely to "fall through the cracks" in the system.