The Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County

Children’s Advocacy Centers are established as community-based agencies designed to coordinate the activities of various agencies involved in the investigation, prosecution and treatment referral of child abuse. The Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County was established in 1999 as an independent not for profit agency.

In 1989, Illinois passed the Children’s Advocacy Center Act which mandates that each county develop a written protocol for response to crimes against children. The intent of this legislation was to coordinate a multidisciplinary approach to child sexual and severe physical abuse. The ultimate goal was to establish child advocacy centers which would bring various disciplines together in the investigation of abuse cases and in so doing reduce or eliminate any further trauma that may be experienced by child victims.

The Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County, a result of that legislation, began serving children in December of 1999. Since its beginning the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) has strived to develop a timely, comprehensive and coordinated response to reported cases of child abuse. Their staff works with professionals from law enforcement, the Department of Children and Family Services, the States Attorney’s Office, the medical community, and mental health providers to coordinate the investigation, treatment and prosecution (if warranted) of cases reported to the CAC.

A major goal of the Child Advocacy Center is to handle cases with an approach sensitive to the needs of the victim which is primarily accomplished by limiting the number of interviews of the child while conducting the investigation in a child-focused environment.

Their center provides services to McHenry County residents under the age of 18 who are victims of sexual or severe physical abuse. The staff at the center provides advocacy services which include:

• Referral services to treatment providers who are experts in the field of child abuse.
• Information regarding Victim Crime Compensation Program administered through the Attorney General’s Office
• Crisis intervention and medical advocacy by accompanying the victim through the examination and investigation process.
• Legal advocacy by supporting the victim through the court process and ensuring timely availability of information.
• Maintaining contact with all agencies involved in the investigation so that information may be provided to the victims and family members.
• Continuing emotional support to victims and family members.

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