Every Child Deserves Safety- How Advocacy Centers Protect Indiana’s Youth

Children deserve to live free from abuse, fear, and neglect. In Indiana, Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) play a vital role in ensuring this safety.

These centers are child-friendly spaces where professionals from law enforcement, social services, healthcare, and mental health come together to protect children, investigate abuse, and provide healing support.

Across Indiana, CACs serve thousands of children every year, giving families a place of hope and protection. In 2025, these centers are more important than ever as communities work to strengthen child protection systems.

What is a Child Advocacy Center (CAC)?

A Child Advocacy Center is a safe environment where children who may have been victims of abuse or neglect can speak with trained professionals in a supportive, non-threatening setting.

• Instead of being questioned multiple times by different authorities, the child speaks once in a forensic interview, while trained experts observe.
• This process reduces trauma and ensures accurate information is collected.
• CACs also provide medical exams, victim advocacy, and referrals for counseling and therapy.

By using this approach, CACs make the process less stressful for children while ensuring justice and care.

Indiana’s Network of Child Advocacy Centers

Indiana has a strong statewide network of CACs. These centers are either nonprofit organizations or connected to local prosecutors’ offices, working closely with:

• Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS)
• Local police and law enforcement
• Medical professionals
• Mental health counselors
• Victim advocates and prosecutors

Together, these groups form a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) that coordinates child protection efforts.

Key Services Provided by Indiana CACs

CACs are not just about investigations. They also provide ongoing support for children and families.

• Forensic Interviews – A child speaks once in a supportive, age-appropriate way.
• Medical Exams – Health professionals check the child’s well-being and collect evidence if needed.
• Victim Advocacy – Families are guided through the legal and emotional process.
• Counseling & Therapy Referrals – Trauma-focused therapy helps children heal emotionally.
• Prevention & Education – Many CACs also train adults and children to recognize and report abuse.

The Process: How a Child Gets Help

1. Report of Abuse – In Indiana, anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect must report it. The 24/7 hotline number is 1-800-800-5556.
2. Referral to a CAC – After a report, either DCS or law enforcement refers the child to a CAC.
3. Forensic Interview – A specially trained interviewer speaks with the child while the MDT observes.
4. Medical & Mental Health Support – Children receive exams, referrals, and counseling support.
5. Legal & Advocacy Services – Families are supported throughout investigations and court proceedings.

Recent Developments and Stronger Protection

Indiana has strengthened laws to support CACs. New rules require:

• Standardized protocols and training for staff.
• Child-friendly interview rooms that reduce trauma.
• Civil immunity for CAC workers in certain cases, protecting them while they do their jobs.
• Stronger MDT coordination, ensuring all agencies work together.

These updates ensure that children are not only protected but also supported with dignity.

Numbers That Show Impact

CACs in Indiana and across the U.S. have shown clear results:

• 10,000+ children served in Indiana every year.
• Individual centers like The CASIE Center in South Bend help more than 1,500 children annually.
• Centers like Susie’s Place have conducted over 13,000 interviews since opening and teach body-safety lessons to tens of thousands of children.
• Nationwide, CACs help hundreds of thousands of children each year.

Indiana Child Advocacy Centers at a Glance

Feature	Details
Children Served	Around 10,000 annually across Indiana
Main Services	Forensic interviews, medical exams, advocacy, therapy referrals
Referral Process	Only through DCS or police after a hotline report
Hotline Number	1-800-800-5556 (24/7)
Multidisciplinary Team	Law enforcement, DCS, prosecutors, medical, mental health, victim advocates
Local Examples	Susie’s Place (multiple locations), CASIE Center (South Bend)
Funding Challenges	Federal support declining, centers rely on state, grants, and donations

Challenges CACs Face

Despite their success, CACs in Indiana face challenges:

• Funding cuts have reduced federal support, forcing centers to depend more on community donations.
• Growing caseloads mean that centers are busier than ever.
• Need for more training as child abuse cases become more complex.

How Communities Can Help

• Report Abuse – If you suspect abuse, call 1-800-800-5556 immediately.
• Volunteer or Donate – Many CACs rely on local support for supplies, funding, and volunteers.
• Get Educated – Parents, teachers, and community members can attend CAC training to spot and prevent abuse.
• Advocate for Funding – Stronger community voices can push for more support at the state level.

Every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and supported. Child Advocacy Centers in Indiana make this possible by combining professional expertise with compassion. With over 10,000 children served every year, these centers prove that a child-first approach works.

In 2025, stronger laws, dedicated professionals, and community involvement are helping CACs protect Indiana’s most vulnerable citizens. But they cannot do it alone—community awareness, donations, and advocacy are vital to ensuring that every child continues to have a safe place to heal and find justice.

FAQs