How We Work

As the only child advocacy center in Charlotte, with the mission to protect and heal children, unite key partners, and engage the community to end child abuse, CAC of Charlotte serves children from birth through age 18.

For Caregivers

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Protect

Heal

Prevent

Protect

A coordinated child protection response that reduces trauma and strengthens justice for every child.

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The Need

Before Child Advocacy Centers existed, children often had to share their trauma experience multiple times with police, doctors, social workers and prosecutors. These conversations often occurred in intimidating environments. Each retelling created additional trauma and weakened the case against the offender.

The Solution: Coordinated, Child-centered Care

At CAC of Charlotte, after experiencing abuse, children share their experience one time, in a safe, welcoming setting, supported by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) that works together from the first moment of disclosure, through the investigative process and beyond. The MDT approach is a best-practice method involving community partners that include law enforcement, child welfare offices, the District Attorney’s office, Atrium Healthcare, Novant Health, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and Mecklenburg County Public Health.

By the Numbers

Services

Provided at no cost.

Forensic Interviews

Trained professionals provide legally defensible and developmentally appropriate forensic interviews to child victims of abuse. Investigative professionals are present to observe the interviews via closed circuit television, allowing children the opportunity to recount their abuse experience in detail just one time, in their own words.

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Family Advocacy

Family advocates help families navigate through the investigative process while offering hands-on assistance that stabilizes crises and connects families with community supports including assistance with victim’s compensation filing, securing resources for transportation, emergency shelter and food. In addition, family advocates provide trauma assessments, address domestic violence lethality, and safety plans.

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Medical Evaluations

Through a partnership with Atrium Health – Levine Children’s Hospital Pediatric Resource Center, pediatricians and advanced-practice clinicians who specialize in child physical and sexual abuse evaluation provide headto-toe physical examinations and reassurance to children and their caregivers.

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Exploitation and Human Trafficking Response

Children’s Advocacy Center of Charlotte is committed to providing community efforts to enhance the prevention, identification, and response to victims of human trafficking and exploitation.

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Community-Level Impact

Offenders are held accountable more quickly and consistently

Children are protected from additional trauma

Cases move forward with stronger evidence and clearer coordination

Mecklenburg County is a safer place for all children

Heather’s First Step Toward Protection

When 10-year-old Heather arrived at CAC of Charlotte, she was quiet and frightened. Her grandmother kept squeezing her hand, unsure what to expect. In the child-friendly interview room, Heather spoke with a trained forensic interviewer while law enforcement and child protective services observed from behind a protective glass panel. She told her story once; the only time she had to relive it. By the time she left, her grandmother said,

“This is the first time we felt someone believed her. We finally know what to do next.”

Your support makes this moment possible for every family who is supported by CAC of Charlotte.

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Heal

Specialized trauma informed care and mental health and family support that help children heal and rebuild their lives.

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The Need

Abuse leaves emotional and physical wounds that can last a lifetime without skilled treatment. Families often enter CAC of Charlotte overwhelmed, distressed and unsure how to support their child.

The Solution: Comprehensive Healing Services For Children and Caregivers

The Healing Center at CAC of Charlotte offers trauma-informed therapeutic services to provide further support to children and families. The clinical program is tailored to the unique needs and situations of children and adolescents who have suffered abuse. CAC of Charlotte also supports the recovery of caregivers and other family members to improve their ability to assist their child.

By the Numbers

Services

Provided at no cost.

Mid adult psychotherapist woman talking to child boy at playroom

Healing Services

Our healing programs offer structured, skill-based support for children, adolescents, and caregivers. These short-term interventions help participants build coping skills, strengthen relationships, manage stress, and develop healthier responses to everyday challenges.

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Evidence-Based Therapy

CAC of Charlotte provides evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy for children and adolescents who have experienced abuse. Our clinical team works closely with caregivers to support healing, strengthen families, and build a path forward.

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CHAT Collaborative

The CHAT Collaborative brings together over 100 vetted trauma-informed community clinicians to provide clinical support to children. Pat’s Place assumes payment for uninsured or underinsured families

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Community-Level Impact

Children regain emotional stability, improve school attendance, relationships, and long-term health

Families become stronger and more stable, reducing future crises

The community benefits from reduced long-term trauma impacts and healthier childhood development

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A Healing Journey For Marcus

Eight-year-old Marcus arrived withdrawn and anxious. Over several months, he met with a CAC of Charlotte therapist trained in child trauma. His mother also received counseling and support navigating the investigation. One day, Marcus arrived proudly holding a drawing he had made in therapy. It was a picture of himself smiling. His mother said,

“I have my child back. I didn’t think we’d ever get here.”

Healing is not abstract. Healing is real, measurable, and donor-powered.

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Prevent

Education, training, and community partnerships that prevent abuse before it occurs.

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The Need

Most child abuse is never reported. Many adults don’t know the signs of abuse or how to respond. Prevention is the most effective way to protect children from harm. When just one adult receives training, many children are protected in our community.

The Solution: Community Prevention and Education

CAC of Charlotte provides training for adults and youth, including teachers, coaches, faith leaders, medical providers, parents and community organizations, on how to recognize and report abuse. CAC of Charlotte offers an array of training modules and will help create a training tailored specifically for any organization.

By the Numbers

Services

Provided at no cost.

Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children

Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children is a nationally recognized, evidence-informed training proven to increase knowledge of child sexual abuse and change child protective behaviors using five simple steps.

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Mother and Daughter Embracing on a Balcony with a Potted Flower

Handle With Care

Handle With Care is a collaborative program that supports children experiencing trauma by connecting schools, law enforcement, and mental health resources. Through a trauma-informed approach, it ensures students receive the care and understanding they need to succeed.

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ROAR

ROAR is an interactive, child-based, and fun lesson for children ages 4-8. Through a lion named Rex, children will learn Rex’s “Rules of ROARing” and how to keep their bodies safe.

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Community-Level Impact

More children disclose abuse earlier, leading to safer outcomes

Adults become active protectors, not passive bystanders

Schools, congregations, civic organizations, corporate businesses, and youth programs strengthen prevention safeguards

Community awareness creates long-term safety for generations of children

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Prevention and Protecting Children Begins in our Community

A local youth mentor shared after training,

“I never realized how easy it was to miss the warning signs. A month later, one of my teens opened up about something that didn’t feel right at home. Because of the training, I knew exactly what to do. That child is now safe.”

Healing is not abstract. Healing is real, measurable, and donor-powered.

Make a Donation

Ways to Get Involved

Make a Donation

Become an Advocate

Train With Us