The SAFEchild Advocacy Center, which opened November 1, 2010, is a warm, welcoming center where children who have been sexually or physically abused come to talk with caring professionals who help them with physical and psychological healing, and help them navigate the legal system that involves police, district attorneys and courts. All the services that the young victims and their families need are located in one welcming, convenient location.

The SAFEchild Advocacy Center eases the amount of stress a family endures when they have to go to a variety of locations to seek the medical evaluation, treatment, and legal investigation that are all part of an abuse assessment.  But more importantly, the SAFEchild Advocacy Center prevents children being re-traumatized due to multiple interviews conducted by different agencies.

Collaborating partners include Wake Couty child protective services (CPS), the Wake County district attorney’s office, all Wake County law enforcement entities, area health professionals, Guardian Ad Litem, mental health professionals, and others who are committed to the well being of children. This group is recognized as the Multidisciplinary Team and meets twice a month.

The SAFEchild Advocacy Center assisted approximately 500 young victims of severe physical or sexual abuse in its first two years of operation.

For more information please email Cristin DeRonja, Director at 919-231-5515 or email her at cderonja@safechildnc.org.