Children's Advocacy Center
CAC of Hampshire County CAC of Franklin County and North Quabbin
The Children’s Advocacy Centers in Greenfield and Northampton are child friendly houses where physically and sexually abused children receive the services they need in a coordinated response. These services include:
Forensically Sound Interviews
- A qualified forensic interviewer, as part of a Sexual Assault Intervention Network (S.A.I.N.) multidisciplinary team approach, conducts an interview of a child suspected of having been physically or sexually abused, thus eliminating multiple interviews and reducing the stress to the family and child. Members of the interview team include an assistant district attorney, Department of Children and Family investigative social worker, forensic child interview specialist, family service advocate, police officer and S.A.I.N. team coordinator.
Medical Intervention
- Should a child need a medical examination for sexual or physical abuse, there are trained medical professionals available to do the examination.
Therapeutic Intervention
- When necessary, referrals are made for follow up treatment for the child including specialized medical and mental health services.
Victim Support
- Family advocates from the District Attorney’s Child Abuse Unit provide the child and non-offending family members information about the legal process and support and guidance through a case prosecution.
For more information about the Children’s Advocacy Center contact (413) 586-9225 or (413) 774-3186.
Irene Woods, director of the Children's Advocacy of Franklin County and North Quabbin Area, one of two Children's Advocacy Centers in the Northwestern District
Useful Links: