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Children's Advocacy Centers

Literature Review: A product of the Model Programs Guide
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Description

In 2022, more than 550,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in the United States, and an estimated 1,990 children died as a result (Children's Bureau, 2024). Experiencing child abuse and neglect can increase the likelihood of many other adverse outcomes, such as nonlethal injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, poor educational outcomes, aggression and violence, and involvement in the justice system (Gallo et al., 2018; Gonzalez et al., 2023; Graf et al., 2021; Hailes et al., 2019; Milaniak and Widom, 2015; Ryan et al., 2018; Swanston et al., 2003).

Child protective services (CPS) agencies investigate maltreatment allegations and provide services to promote children's safety and well-being (Children's Bureau, 2024). Some cases result in criminal charges and the prosecution of the individual identified as responsible for the abuse. However, the process of investigating maltreatment can be frightening, confusing, and traumatizing for the very children it is intended to help (Ettinger, 2022; Faller, 2015). Services are not always available (Fong et al., 2016; Herbert and Bromfield, 2019; Slemaker et al., 2021), and only a small percentage of child abuse and neglect cases are ever prosecuted (Block and Williams, 2019; Font and Maguire-Jack, 2021).

Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) were established to improve the response to, and prosecution of, child maltreatment (Elmquist et al., 2015; NCA, 2023b). CACs are community-based, multidisciplinary organizations designed to reduce the stress experienced by child victims and nonoffending family members during the investigation process, improve case outcomes, and ensure that services are provided to all child victims (Elmquist et al., 2015; NCA, 2023a; Wolfteich and Loggins, 2007).

This literature review summarizes the history of CACs in the United States, discusses characteristics of CACs and the children who use them, and examines CACs' effectiveness in responding to child maltreatment. 
 

Last Update: March 2025