History
Before children's advocacy centers, child victims were forced to relive their abuse by telling their story to one official after another. At the Childhelp Children's Advocacy Center of Arizona Dedicated to Linda Pope, a specially-trained forensic interviewer meets with each child, asking age appropriate, non-leading questions to allow abused children to share their story in a way to withstand court scrutiny, aid in the prosecution of abusers, and minimize additional trauma to the victim. As part of this process, children also may receive a specialized medical exam to gather evidence of physical and/or sexual assault. Services provided at the center support safe placement of abused children and court preparation assistance for victims. As an outpatient clinic with licensed counselors and licensed clinical director, abused children and non-offending family members receive individual and family counseling/therapy.
Specialties
Since 1998, the Childhelp Children's Advocacy Center of Arizona Dedicated to Linda Pope has served abused and neglected children by providing treatment, intervention and investigation services. Cheerful colors, teddy bears, toys and child-friendly paintings line the walls of the fully accredited advocacy center, enhancing each child's sense of safety and well-being. The goal of the center is to provide medical treatment, mental health therapy, efficient investigational resources, and victim support services to address the immediate safety and complete well-being of children referred to the center.