There was a time when a child who was a victim of abuse was often revictimized by the agencies and people who were supposed to help him. Professionals from child protection, investigative, legal and medical systems would interview the child separately and repeatedly in police stations and other environments designed for adults. Many times these interviews were done to meet the diverse and sometimes conflicting requirements of the agencies involved rather than the needs of the child
In the mid 1980s, a number of communities recognized the need for a different way to address the problem of child abuse. These communities independently began coordinated programs to investigate, prosecute and treat abuse, programs that were child focused and child friendly. Among these programs, the Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama has evolved as the national model.
In 2005, the Children's Center of Medina County began and became operational in 2007. Supported by a coordinated approach, with the assessment and interventions provided in a child friendly environment, child victims are more likely to be better and more effective witnesses. But most important child victims and their families begin the healing process sooner and experience more successful treatment outcomes. At the Children's Center of Medina County since 2007 we have provided this coordinated approach with more than 300 children here in Medina County.