Children's Advocacy Center representative Shelley McGraw told the Chattanooga Civitan Club that child abuse "is happening in our community and it's happening far too much."
The CAC was founded in 1991 to help children who have been abused or neglected. The organization offers their services to victims free of charge. While the CAC normally only serves children under 18, they also sometimes serve adults with impaired mental capacity.
Ms. McGraw told the club that one huge benefit of the CAC is that the children do not have keep being questioned about their trauma.
The CAC offers forensic interviews, medical examinations, and counseling all in one place.
She said their goal is "to connect the pieces and make those government officials do their job a little bit better."
During forensic interviews, recordings are also made to give a future judge and juror a snapshot of the child at the time of the incident. This is because cases typically will not go to court for several years. It is often challenging for adults to give testimony years after an incident and it can be especially difficult for a child.
If the case does go to court, the center also helps prepare children for what they will have to do. She said, "If that's going to happen, that child absolutely needs to be prepared for that."
Ms. McGraw noted the organization does not try to "police" parents who are disciplining their children. She said their cases usually involve "head trauma, burns, laceration, broken bones, rape, molestation, fondling, or brutality."
She said, "If you even suspect, please go ahead and call and let the professionals sort it out."