The Sullivan County Child Advocacy Center, (CAC) officially opened on August 28, 2024.
The Family Violence Response Team (FVRT) is a Multidisciplinary Team, (MDT) that was established in 1999, in response to the 1989 brutal murder of three-year-old Christopher Gardner. This team investigates allegations of child sexual abuse, severe physical child abuse and child fatalities. All team members receive specialized training and are committed to thoroughly investigating these allegations in a manner that is least traumatic to the child victims and their families.
Although the FVRT has been up and running since 1999, it now operates out of the Sullivan County Child Advocacy Center, which is an officially accredited CAC. The CAC is a safe space where children can share their experiences without fear and where families can access the resources they need to rebuild their lives. The Sullivan County Child Advocacy Center stands as a beacon of hope, committed to breaking the cycle of violence and fostering resilience in our community.
Our Mission
The mission of the CAC is to protect and serve child victims of abuse by using a multidisciplinary approach when investigating and prosecuting crimes against children.
Our multidisciplinary team, (MDT) is comprised of professionals from law enforcement, child protective services, mental health services, victim advocacy and child abuse specialists. Members from all disciplines work collaboratively to ensures that every child receives comprehensive care and support that is tailored to their unique needs.
By working together, the MDT can effectively investigate and prosecute allegations of child abuse, provide forensic medical exams when appropriate and deliver trauma-informed counseling services to assist children and their families with their healing journey.
Our Brochure
Click on the image to read and download the CAC Brochure...
NOTE: CACs are not walk-in facilities. Each case of child abuse must be reported to the New York State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment or to the police for it to be referred to a Child Advocacy Center.
Our Opening
Courtesy of Mid-Hudson News...
