A STEP TOWARDS HEALING
Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC)
Natividad Medical Center
1441 Constitution Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93906
About Us
THE CORE MODEL
The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) model was created more than 30 years ago in Huntsville, Alabama, through the vision of former Congressman Robert Cramer, who was at the time a district attorney in Madison County, Alabama. There are now more than 950 CACs in over 25 countries worldwide, based on this original model.
To learn more about the original model, go to National CAC.
The Sally P. Archer Child Advocacy Center is a proud accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance
For more information, visit the National Children’s Alliance.
Steps Towards Healing
OUR SERVICES
Forensic Interviewing
One-on-one interviews for children to ensure a child is not re-traumatized through the investigative process.
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Medical Services
A specially trained in-house provider conducts medical exams to ensure the health of the child, collect evidence, and provide reassurance that the child’s body is still normal after what happened to them.
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Victim Advocacy & Counseling
Ongoing comprehensive clinical services to children and families including parental support through individual counseling, individual advocacy, referral services, advocacy during a medical exam, and more.
Learn moreMedical Services: FAQ
Why does my child need an exam?
We have 3 important goals for every exam:
- Make sure the child is healthy.
- Reassure the child that their body is still normal after what happened to them.
- Gather evidence for the criminal investigation.
Exams are child-led at all times and are not invasive.
Will this exam tell me if my child has been abused?
No.
In fact, most of our exams are normal (meaning we cannot tell if there has been any injury in the past), but this does NOT mean your child was not abused. Most children who have been sexually abused have normal exams. What your child says happened to their body is most important.
What happens during the exam?
We check your child’s heart, lungs, eyes, and ears, like any routine doctor’s visit. We also check the genital and anal area for any signs of past injury and take photographs with a specialized camera. Depending on what we know about what happened and when, we may check for sexually transmitted infections and/or swab for DNA evidence with Q-tips.
The examiner will explain every step of the exam before it happens.
What if my child doesn’t want to do the exam?
If the child is unsure, the examiner will try to reassure them that the exam is not painful. However, if they decline, we stop and offer to schedule the exam on another day. Most of the time, children and family feel comfortable proceeding with the exam.
Advocacy & Support
Victim Advocacy
When a child or youth is at the CAC for a Forensic Interview or Medical Examination, the family advocate offers support to parents and caregivers during that process. They are also able to discuss the legal process, provide emotional support, offer parenting and behavioral education, provide and connect families with resources needed, and answer questions. In addition, an advocate can provide crisis intervention and safety planning.
Resources
Counseling
Monterey County Children’s Behavioral Health offers mental health services to children, youth, and their non-offending family members. We provide a holistic, trauma-informed, resiliency-oriented, evidence-based therapeutic approach to support healing.
Resources
How to Care for Your Child Following Sexual Abuse
What To Do
STEP 1
Try to keep life as normal as possible — return to usual routines — including bedtimes and rules.
Listen if your child wants to talk about their feelings or what happened to them. Be consistent.
Be calm. Be loving.
STEP 2
Avoid questioning your child about the abuse. Allow our trained interviews to gather information.
Tell your child they are brave for sharing. Refrain from comments or actions that may make your child think that you do not believe them or that they are to blame for the abuse.
STEP 3
Children respond to trauma differently, depending on age and development, and new behaviors are common. Talk to a mental health provider about what you see and your concerns.
Connect your child with any recommended mental health services.
Consider mental health services for yourself or your family.
Healing Is Possible
A Team Dedicated to Help
We are social workers, mental health providers, advocates, medical providers, police officers, and attorneys who work together to help children tell their story, protect their health, ensure a safe environment, and work toward justice.
We are here for you and your child.
Established in 1999
In 1999, a groundbreaking new facility opened its doors – the Natividad Advocacy Center dedicated to supporting children who had experienced abuse. This center has provided a safe, comfortable haven for young victims, a drastic contrast to the often intimidating environments they may encounter elsewhere in the legal or social services systems. For over two decades, this program has remained steadfast in its mission to advocate for and empower abused and neglected youth within the community.
AGENCY PARTNERS
Our Locations Child Advocacy Center (CAC)
Natividad Medical Center
1441 Constitution Blvd.
Salinas, CA 93906
Satellite Office
250 Franciscan Way.
King City, CA 93930
By Appointment Only
831-769-8682