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Children's Advocacy Center- Children's Justice Center
Date of Release: 10/21/2008
Children's Advocacy Center- Children's Justice Center
700 East Twiggs Street
Suite 102
Tampa, FL 33602-4019
Main Phone: (813) 272-5437
Fax number: (813) 276-2404
Eligibility: ONLY At the request of law enforcement and/or the Department of Children & Families
Area Served: Hillsborough County
E-Mail address: watermpl@fljud13.org
Internet Site: http://www.fljud13.org/CJC/index_cjc.htm
Program Description:
This court program was established to protect children from being re-traumatized by the system and serves as the hub for court programs related to serving children. Forensic interviews are conducted at the request of law enforcement and/or the Department of Children & Families. Case management services are also offered on-site for children and families. In collaboration with the Child Protection Team at Tampa General Hospital, case managers are co-located to provide services to other children and families, when the alleged perpetrator is in a caretaker role. CAC staff provide case management services when the alleged perpetrator is in a non-caretaker role, such as stranger or child-on-child victimization. Depositions of all children in Hillsborough County who may be the victim or witness of a crime are also conducted at the CAC. Children are interviewed by CAC professional forensic interviewers with knowledge of child development, in an age appropriate "child-friendly" room. The CAC conducts over 600 one on one investigative interviews and depositions each year. Further, the CAC provides the facilities and technology for law enforcement and investigative professionals to participate in the interview via closed circuit television and through wireless audio equipment. The interview is captured on videotape, thus reducing the number of times the children must relive their horrid experiences.
