Our Services

A forensic interview is a coordinated investigative interview conducted by a specially trained professional. The interviewer uses developmentally sensitive methods to get accurate, detailed information from children about abuse allegations. Interviews are conducted in a child-friendly space that respects the child’s needs for safety and privacy and reduces the likelihood of contamination. Interviews are coordinated with MDT members to minimize the need for multiple interviews. This helps reduce the number of times the child has to talk about the allegations. Interviews can be recorded to preserve the child’s statements and capture all of the ways the children communicate. Whenever forensic interview services are provided, victim advocacy services are also provided. These may include referrals for follow up services, trauma screenings, and other services as needed.

The ChildSafe Center-CAC offers therapeutic treatment programs that are tailored to the unique needs and situations of each child who has suffered abuse. The ChildSafe Center-CAC offers Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) as one of its treatment options. TF-CBT is an evidence-based model that has proven to be effective in reducing symptoms caused by trauma, by teaching the child new coping and relaxation skills, educating them about trauma and helping them process their abuse in a healthy manner. Another unique aspect of the model is that skills are taught to both the child victim and their caretakers. This model is focused and thereby decreases the length of treatment time.

Every family who comes to the ChildSafe Center-CAC for a forensic interview also receives victim advocacy services. An advocate’s role is to make sure the child and the non offending caregiver are not left to navigate the process alone. Advocacy may include trauma screenings, referrals for follow up services, and connections to whatever other support a family needs as the case moves forward. Because victim advocacy is one of the disciplines represented on the Multidisciplinary Team, the Center also works alongside the Victim Witness programs in Winchester and Shenandoah County so support continues beyond our doors.