CHILD WELFARE IN ACTION:CHILD WELFARE EXPERT INTERVIEW WITH

SHELBY TRAHAN OF THE

Erin DudleyUniversity of New

Hampshire

What is a Child Advocacy Center (CAC)?

“Comprehensive, child -focused program in a facility that allows law

enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health and medical communities to work

together to handle child abuse cases”

What Happens at a CAC? The CAC provides a neutral, child-friendly setting where

child victims of abuse (primarily sexual) are interviewed in a

forensic, fact-finding, manner.

Prior to CAC’s, children were often interviewed more than 8

times. The CAC model allows all team members (police,

DCYF, prosecutors, etc.) questions to get answered, but the

child only has to meet and talk with one person (Shelby

Trahan).

Shelby is a trained forensic interviewer and on average

interviews 2 children per day regarding abuse.

Pictures of the CAC in Manchester

Waiting Room

Here families and children wait for interviews. As you can see it is very welcoming (much more so than a police department where children were interviewed prior to CAC’s.)

Interview Room

This is the room where children are interviewed. All team members watch on a closed circuit television. Therefore, the child only has to tell their story once.

Interview with Shelby Trahan Potential Risks for Children and Families Served:

Sexual abuse

Witness to violence (Domestic violence in homes.)

Physical abuse

Parental substance abuse and/or history of sexual abuse (Many parents have a history of trauma and substance abuse. These parents face unique challenges when dealing with their own child’s abuse.)

Lack of Support (Many parents have a lack of resources-social support, money, housing, transportation, education, etc.)

Lack of knowledge about sexual abuse (Parents are unaware of red flags and are unsure of how to support and protect their children.)

Parents not believing child

Child not taught about body safety

Interview with Shelby Trahan Services provided by the CAC:

Forensic interviews for child victims of abuse. The process

reduces trauma and increases the prosecution rates for

child sexual abuse cases.

An advocate from the YWCA crisis center is present at

every interview to support the family and child. The YWCA

serves as a resource for families after the interview.

Medical and mental health referrals (doctors and therapists

specializing in sexual abuse)

Outreach and education (family outreach, daycare CEU

trainings, police department trainings, center tours)

Interview with Shelby Trahan

How does the CAC promote child and family resiliency? Decrease in disjointedness of criminal justice system. Team coordination (all team members are held

accountable and work together for the family) Child-friendly (Children are given a teddy bear after their

interview and are also allowed to put their handprints on the wall. This makes most children more comfortable with the process versus being interviewed by an intimidating detective) (See pictures on the next slide. )

Education for parents and children about body safety Connections with community and services available-

YWCA Doctors Counselors Department of Health and Human Services

Hands of Hope and Teddy Bears

Children get to see the hands of each child that has been to the CAC. This is often comforting and makes disclosing easier. They can visually see that they are not alone. Following the interview they get to add their hands to

the wall and pick out a teddy bear.

Challenges for Shelby

Difficult when she suspects that a child is being abused and they do not disclose

When families do not believe their children

When there is not enough of a disclosure to arrest the perpetrator

Aiding families in their time of crisis is draining

Hearing stories of horrific abuse

Interview with Shelby Trahan How do you prevent vicarious trauma?

Staying busy- school, work, family

Hearing about cases being prosecuted is very rewarding

Seeing a child breath a sigh of relief after they disclose

Speaking with families and hearing how the child is doing

Educating the public about abuse

Knowing that I helped prevent a child from being abused further

Self care!!!! (Gym, Playing with my dog)

Questions??

If there are any questions feel free to contact me at emo44@unh.edu

Thanks!