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(828) 465-9296

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One of the essential services we provide is the facility for and coordination of forensic interviews. A forensic interview is a neutral, fact-finding interview that is legally defensible in court. The Forensic Interviewer is a highly trained professional who interviews children to help authorities and partner agencies determine if they have been sexually abused. In addition to yielding information on whether abuse has occurred, this approach produces evidence that will stand up in court if the investigation leads to criminal prosecution. Forensic interviews are legally sound because they ensure the interviewer’s objectivity, employ non-leading techniques, and emphasize accurate documentation of the interview via video recording.
In addition to forensic interviews, the CAC also provides onsite forensic child medical exams. For more detailed information about forensic medical exams, click here to download the Parent Information Sheet.
The Children’s Advocacy & Protection Center (CAPC) of Catawba County has a full-time Victim Advocate on staff who works directly with the families who come to the CAPC for services. The Victim Advocate works to reduce trauma and stress to families throughout the CAPC process. While the interview with the child victim is taking place, our Victim Advocate uses this time to get to know the parent/guardian to assess the overall needs of the family. The Victim Advocate assists the child and family through the investigation process as well as the court process, providing emotional support and assisting with counseling referrals. Encouraging and referring child victims and non-offending family members to follow through with appropriate counseling services is an integral part of our Victim Advocate’s job. Throughout the duration of each case, our Victim Advocate stays in touch with the child and non-offending family members, assessing each family’s needs, and keeping them informed of all aspects of their case, including perpetrator status, court dates, etc. Some families need support beyond the court process; in these situations, our Victim Advocate offers referrals for long-term services that are needed.
Mental Health treatment following a traumatic event can mean the difference between effectively coping and simply “avoiding” negative thoughts and feelings. Avoidance is a common strategy in dealing with negative events and may seem quite useful in the short-term. Unfortunately, the long-term consequences of merely “avoiding” often include increased anxiety, depression and other Post-Traumatic Stress symptoms. Catawba County CAC offers on-site mental health services to children and their families that have been served at the CAC. The focus of treatment is to provide education regarding abuse/traumatic events and potential traumatic symptoms; improve coping strategies for managing negative thoughts and feelings; actively process the traumatic event and address personal safety issues. Parents/caregivers and children learn the same skills so that parents can support and reinforce their children’s use of skills outside of therapy. Enhancing parenting skills and improving communication within the family are also goals of treatment. It is important that parents learn to manage their own thoughts and feelings regarding the abuse in order to support their children’s healing.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidenced-based treatment approach that is used with clients with significant behavioral or emotional symptoms following a traumatic event. Treatment goals are developed following an initial assessment of needs and discussion of needs/concerns with both the child and their parent/caregiver.

Our hope in providing mental health treatment is that children can regain power through gaining knowledge and specific skills to manage the potential consequences of traumatic events. Our belief is that with appropriate treatment, abuse/traumatic events can be a wound that heals without significant ongoing negative impact to the child or family.
The CAC offers an educational group that provides parents/caretakers the opportunity to:

• Meet together to gain information and understanding of the affects of child sexual abuse.
• Learn how to recognize the signs of abuse.
• Learn how to protect your children.
• Give and receive support from others with similar experiences.
• Share concerns and triumphs.

The NOP group is open to all caregivers of children who have been abused. The group meets every Thursday evening for 10 weeks, for about an hour and a half. There is no cost to participants, and childcare, meals, and gas vouchers are provided. For more information or to sign up for the next group, call the CAC at (828) 465-9296.