Children's Advocacy Center

The CAC Team Approach

The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Bristol County, a program of JRI, is a private, non-profit agency that assists children and families impacted by the trauma of abuse and violence. A coordinated multi-disciplinary team comprised of investigative agencies, family advocates, specialized health services and treatment services works together. Over 5,000 children have come through the Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County since we opened our doors in 2007.

Based upon a national, child-focused model, the center provides a sensitive and coordinated response to allegations and disclosures of child abuse. For each child abuse case, a multi-disciplinary team is formed comprised of law enforcement, Department of Children & Families, District Attorney’s office, Massachusetts Pedi-SANE program and community-based agencies. This collaborative approach is at the heart of the evidence-based model which provides a place and process for the child to provide the details of their victimization only one time during the investigative period in an effort to minimize their trauma.

The CAC of Bristol County is one of 12 centers in MA while our purview is based upon crimes occurring within Bristol County, the agency also offers courtesy services to victims living in our county when an offense may have occurred in another states jurisdiction. There are over 800 Children Advocacy Centers in the United States.