Our Goals
- To minimize the number of times that abused children are interviewed.
- To provide a swift and sensitive response to child abuse victims and their families.
- To facilitate coordination and collaboration among community agencies.
- To ensure that comprehensive services are available to meet the needs of child abuse victims and their families in Norfolk County.
Our Services
- A child-friendly facility
- A multidisciplinary team approach
- Child Forensic Interviews
- Victim advocacy
- Mental health referrals
- Investigation and prosecution
- Medical consultation/exams
- Culturally sensitive services
- Community trainings
Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT)
The MDT is the heart of the NAC’s response to allegations of child abuse. MDTs allow for a prompt, sensitive, interagency response to reports of alleged child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse. The MDT also provides supportive and follow-up services to children and their families.
Since the inception of the first CAC in 1985 in Huntsville, Alabama, the number of CACs has grown to over 750 nationally.
The MDT members include:
Forensic Interviewer (FI) has specialized training in conducting interviews of children. They ensure that reliable information is elicited from the child in a developmentally appropriate, legally, clinically and culturally sound manner. The FI will conduct the forensic interview (also known as SAIN in Massachusetts). The forensic interview is conducted during the investigation period, as a joint interview conducted using a two-way mirror. The goal is to reduce the number of times the child has to discuss the abuse. The MDT observes behind a two-way mirror, so the child is speaking one-to-one with the forensic interviewer. The team is able to get all the information about the case without having to re-interview the child. The interview is video and audio recorded. The MDT team will meet with the non-offending parent or caregiver after the interview to discuss the disclosure and the next steps of the investigation.
Assistant District Attorney (ADA) determines appropriate criminal charges to be taken in child abuse investigations. They aid in the investigation by law enforcement and are responsible for final prosecution of criminal case.
Victim/Witness Advocates (VWA) are employees of the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office and are the “link” between the child/ family and the MDT. They are the main contact for the family throughout their case, providing information, support and safety planning through the investigation, assessment and court process.
Law Enforcement include local and state police investigate and gather evidence in child abuse cases. They take out initial charges with the goal of public safety and holding offenders accountable.
Department of Children and Families (DCF) focuses on child protection and strengthening families. Investigators participate in the overall investigation as a valued multidisciplinary team member. They make a determination in their DCF investigation if abuse/neglect has occurred by caretaker.
Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (Pedi-SANE) Nurses act as the medical provider on the MDT. They provide specialized medical exams for child sexual abuse victims, including photographic documentation of exam; evidence collection, and expert testimony. Evidence collection within the appropriate timeframe and medical exams are conducted onsite at the NAC in a child-friendly medical suite by a Pedi-SANE Nurse.
Mental Health Coordinator (MHC) provides referrals to families for trauma informed clinicians. They provide trainings and community outreach, as well as consultation for child abuse professionals.