The mission of the York County Children's Advocacy center is to reduce the trauma of child abuse investigations; foster professional collaboration and cooperation; and provide education and advocacy regarding the prevention of child abuse within the community.

Why is the York County Children's Advocacy Center needed?
Prior to the opening of the Children's Advocacy Center, an abused child was subjected to multiple forensic interviews in various agency settings during the information gathering process, including a possible medical exam. The child may have been taken to the hospital or doctor's office, the police department, a social worker or attorney's office.

Imagine the child's overwhelming feelings of fear and anxiety as he or she was shuffled between agencies, surrounded by adults inquiring about the details of the traumatic event. During each interview, the victim was asked to retell his/her story, vividly reliving the pain and confusion surrounding the experience. While the information and data gathered was necessary for the case, the old system further victimized the child and potentially corrupted the information needed for prosecution.

Now imagine a child-friendly, safe house, where the child feels secure in a non-threatening environment; a house where the child only has to go through one interview and one physical exam (if necessary). That child-friendly, safe house is the York County Children's Advocacy Center.

Services provided:

• Forensic Interviews
• Medical Evaluation
• Victim Support

All concerns regarding child abuse or neglect may be referred to (717) 846-8496 or 1-800-729-9227.

You may also contact the State's Central Registry at Childline: 1-800-932-0313.

We now have a Speaker's Bureau. Please allow us to come to your club or organization and let us tell you about the York County Children's Advocacy Center. Call 717-718-4253.