10 Most Common Symptoms of Child Abuse
1) Unexplained injuries
2) Changes in behavior
3) Returning to earlier behaviors
4) Fear of going home
5) Changes in eating
6) Changes in sleeping
7) Changes in school performance and attendance
8) Lack of personal care or hygiene
9) Risk-taking behaviors
10) Inappropriate sexual behaviors
Statistics & At-Risk Individuals
Gender
1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys are estimated to experience child sexual abuse (CDC 2024)
1 billion children globally are estimated to experience child sexual violence
Sexuality
LGBTQ youth are also at increased risk for sex trafficking, suicidality, and other abuse-related problems.
Marginalization
14.3 in every 1000 American Indian or Alaska Native children and 12.1 in every 1000 African American children will experience child victimization.
Disability
Children who are intellectually or developmentally disabled experience abuse three and a half times the rate for a child who is not disabled.
Age
Children under four years of age are at greatest risk of child abuse. Additionally, 1 in 3 female and 1 in 4 male survivors first experienced some form of sexual abuse between the ages of 11 and 17
https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/itsyourbusiness/
https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics/
https://www.cdc.gov/child-abuse-neglect/risk-factors/index.html
Child Advocacy Services
Advocacy
Advocates collaborate with the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) and family members to ensure the client's voice is heard.
Support
Offering emotional support to the child and their family.
Information
Keeping families informed and connecting them to community resources.
Financial Assistance
Helping families in crisis with food, clothing, housing, transportation assistance, emergency shelter, and other financial resources.
Forensic Interviews
In 2025, we supported 47 child survivors of abuse and participated in 23 forensic interviews, all of which were conducted in our child advocacy facility. This dedicated space includes a welcoming waiting area, a private viewing room for multidisciplinary team members, and a soft interview room designed to help children feel at ease.
Our center offers a safe, neutral, child-friendly space for law enforcement and investigative agencies to conduct forensic interviews when there are reports of child sexual abuse, physical abuse, or when a child has witnessed a violent crime. Investigators can observe the interview live to streamline the process and ensure thorough, effective investigations.
What is a forensic interview?
A forensic interview is a suctured conersation with a child to gather information about their experiences or what they have witnessed. These interviews are conducted in a neutral, child-friendly environment to make the child feel at ease.
Purpose
Not an interroagtion, but a child-centered conversation.
Objectives
Corroborate or refute allegations of abuse or neglect.
Gather information useful in legal proceedings.
Assess the child's safety
Child Engagement
Child engagement is a vital part of our family advocacy and support services. It aims to alleviate immediate stressors for children before, during and after their forensic interview through preparation, play intervention, and trauma informed care.
Why
Helps children understand their experience, reducing fear and guilt.
How
Advocates greet and prepare children for their visit and assess emotional needs. Mindfulness activities and coping skills education are also provided.
Our Approach
Forensic Interviews are led by highly trained child abuse professionals who continually refine their skills through peer review and ongoing education. During the interview, law enforcement, prosecutors, and Child Protective Services can watch a live feed from a separate room, reducing the need for multiple interviews and minimizing trauma for the child. Recorded intervieews are provided to law enforcement for use in court.
Continued Support
We offer ongoing advocacy and services to help navigate the legal and healing process, including court accompaniment, case updates, referrals, and support for children and families.
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