Child Advocacy Center

The Child Advocacy Center of Gloucester County (CACGC) is a physically and emotionally safe place for children. The CACGC was created in 2017 through funds that the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office applied and received from the Division of Children and Families.

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Primary Focus

The primary focus of the CACGC is to investigate allegations of child abuse, both physical and sexual, to include the forensic interviews of child victims and the interviews of non-offending parents. The CAC is additionally utilized to meet with families to discuss available services, to orient them to the criminal justice process, and to prepare the family and victim for courtroom testimony.

The CAC of Gloucester County may also be utilized for any special victim to include adult sexual assault or domestic violence. Suspects are not permitted at the CAC of Gloucester County because the focus and purpose of the CAC is to provide a comfortable environment for the victims.

What is a Child Advocacy Center?

  • A safe, child-friendly setting for child abuse victims to receives specialized investigative, medical and therapeutic services.
  • A child-centered environment designed to respect privacy and encourage compassion to maximize the process of healing.
  • A place where law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, victim advocates, medical and mental health professionals meet to coordinate multidisciplinary services.
  • Where investigators and child protective services partner to limit the number of times a child is interviewed, thus reducing trauma and ensuring the best possible outcome.
  • Where referrals for medical, mental health, or other community resources can be arranged.

Multi-Disciplinary Team Approach

There is a multi-disciplinary team approach to allegations of crimes against children which is a group of professionals working together to investigate allegations of abuse while ensuring the best interests of the children are being served and the potential for future trauma is reduced.

Therefore, the investigations handled at the CACGC involve:

  • A caseworker from the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly D.Y.F.S.)
  • A Detective from the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office
  • A Municipal Police Detective
  • A Victim Advocate
  • An Assistant Prosecutor
  • Medical Professionals

The CACGC provides one safe place, one team, one coordinated response to help child abuse victims and their families.

Report

To report a case of suspected child abuse and neglect call 877-NJABUSE.