Children’s Advocacy Center

Vision
Our community stands together to eliminate all forms of abuse.

Mission
To provide education, advocacy, and a multi-disciplinary response to decrease re-traumatization of children who are victims of crime.

Why a Children's Advocacy Center?
Children are among the most vulnerable members of our community. When a child is violated, action must follow to provide protection and to promote healing.

Whom do we serve?
The Tulalip Tribes Children’s Advocacy Center serves children who are victims of crimes, such as sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, or witness to crimes such as domestic violence.

What do we do?
Our goal is to prevent trauma to the victim in the process of investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases. We do this, in part, by case coordination among all of the agencies involved in the case.

• Educate and train about child abuse
• Utilize a team approach to serve each child victim and non-offending family members
• Utilize a team approach for decision making among all professionals
• Provide regular case coordination with police agencies
• Provide specialized, professional child forensic interviewing
• Assist with referrals for medical examinations sensitive to a child’s needs
• Arrange transportation to appointments during an investigation
• Serve as the point of contact for family as criminal cases progress
• Maintain consistent case tracking and monitoring
• Provide victim advocacy including court tours and preparation for trial
• Follow mandated reporter training
• Identify areas for child abuse training

Victim rights
If a Tulalip child is victimized by abuse, or by witnessing violence, that child has rights:

• The right to be believed and respected;
• The right to competent forensic interviews and medical examiners;
• The right to competent law enforcement investigators;
• The right to be safe;
• The right to receive support and advocacy;
• The right to culturally appropriate support and services;
• The right to services that will assist the child in healing;
• The right to crime victim compensation funds;
• The right to have adults work together to minimize the trauma they experience from abuse.

“Protecting Children ◊ Promoting Healing”
"Children are our future.
They are our hope.
They are the answers to our prayers.
No child should have to endure
the pain of abuse and neglect.
The reality is, it does happen.
It is the job of each person to see that it happens less and to
help those who suffer from its pain."

--Wind River Child Advocacy Center