Champaign County Children's Advocacy Center

Michael Williams, Executive Director

Parents & Clients Info

Dear Parents/Caregivers
What is the Children's Advocacy Center?
What is Child Sexual Abuse?
The Offender & Steps They Take to Access Children
What Are the Effects of Sexual Abuse on My Child?
How Should I Act Toward My Child?
How Parents Sometimes Feel When Abuse Has Been Reported
The Investigation & Facts About the Investigation
Your Team of Professionals
What Happens in Criminal Court?
What To Say To Others
Comments You Can Expect From Others About the Abuse
Related Documents

THE INVESTIGATION

Following are the basic steps to an investigation of child sexual abuse.

1. Someone reports suspicions of abuse to authorities, either law enforcement or the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
2. Interviews are conducted with the child at the Children’s Advocacy Center.
3. Medical exams are conducted, if necessary.
4. Law enforcement and DCFS will continue the investigation, which will include an interview with the alleged offender, if possible.
5. A team of professionals will meet to discuss the case and decide how to manage it. The team consists of State’s Attorneys (prosecutors), law enforcement officers, DCFS investigators, social workers, medical practitioners, and mental health professionals.
6. The case may be referred to Criminal Court or Juvenile Court, or some other plan may be made for managing the case.

FACTS ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION

The investigation of the abuse will take place by a team of professionals, which typically includes a State’s Attorney, DCFS investigator, police detective, and Advocacy Center staff. The team approach to these cases keeps the process as simple as possible. At times, you may be asked to wait while your child is being questioned. Being left out of some of the proceedings can make you feel uncomfortable and worried. Our Protocol requires that parents not be present during the interview because it is felt that more accurate information will be obtained if you are not there. In your presence, your child may be unwilling to tell important details because she wants to spare you from hearing them. Sometimes parents cannot control their emotions at what they hear, or they may place pressure on the child to tell in a way that can complicate the legal process.

The interviewer will take time to make sure your child is comfortable with them and will make sure your child knows you are available if they need you. Your child will know where you are while they are being interviewed.

The legal process moves at its own pace, which is different from your child’s need to heal. Emotional wounds may be reopened by the various proceedings, which can take place over many months. The court date may be delayed over and over again. You have no control over this, so try to be patient. Remember that people are working to gain the best outcome for you and your child.

The legal system was not designed with the needs of children in mind. The system is designed primarily to protect the rights of the accused, not the victim. The rights of the child are far less defined than the rights of the accused. However, efforts are being made to improve the legal system’s response to child abuse cases. For example:

• Professionals in these cases are specially trained on a variety of topics regarding child abuse.
• The number of times the child has to tell about the abuse is being reduced.
• Community agencies involved in these cases are making efforts to coordinate their services.
• Legislation is being sponsored to change the law and provide more protection for child victims, both in and out of the courtroom.

Revised August, 2010

If you suspect abuse, call your local police department or
the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
at 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873)