October 2021 CAC Updates

October is
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically.

Abusive domestic partners oftentimes use children to establish or maintain power and control over the victim by physically, emotionally, or sexually abusing the children. Domestic violence can be scary for the whole family, and especially for children who witness the abuse of their parent.

Resources Below:
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Forensic Interviewing
reaching_hands.jpg
A Forensic Interviewer is a trained professional who talks to children about what they may have experienced related to an abuse allegation. Forensic Interviews are a core service of our Center and our Forensic Interviewers are dedicated to ensuring children feel heard in a safe and supportive environment.  Center Forensic Interviewers share why they care so much about their work:

"It’s heartwarming when you see a scared kiddo come into the Center and then they are able to develop trust with us and disclose their story."

"I love giving kids a platform to tell about something they have wanted to tell for so long, but never felt like they could. It’s amazing seeing a team of professionals come together to ensure that kids are safe and getting all of the support they need to help them heal."
This month we launch our inaugural Transforming Hope Leaderboard!
The Center serves children and families involved in allegations of abuse. Although the challenges of the global pandemic have increased stress and trauma in our community, we have seen the transformative power that hope can provide. The Transforming Hope Leaderboard will raise dollars and awareness to provide children and families with hope and healing to move forward after an abuse allegation. Please join us in supporting the following Transforming Hope Leaderboard Candidates:
Warm the Heart of a Family
this Holiday Season
The Center will be collecting items for our Holiday Baskets beginning November 15 through December 10, 2021. If you're interested in collecting and donating items, please contact Claire Cooper at 618-296-5398 or via email.

For a full list of needs click here.
Polished Prints Collaboration
‌


This month we're partnering with Polished prints and we couldn't be more excited! They designed a special collection inspired by the brave children and families we serve. The collection, with a portion of proceeds supporting the Center, goes live on Thursday October 7th. More info will follow!
Information Guides

Check out this CAC information Guide on internet and social media safety sites.


Reporting Child Abuse in Illinois
Reporting child abuse can be a time of uncertainty for the child their family and the reporter. According to DCFS, as much as 70 percent of child abuse goes unreported, and a child tells an average of seven adults that they are being abused or neglected before a report is made.