SERVICES
The Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County partner agency staff/service providers are highly trained professionals dedicated to working with child victims of abuse and their caregivers. Currently (these) services are available at our partner agencies'/service providers' present locations. Enhancements to services presently offered and method of delivery will occur once the CACSC partners are housed together in a single, child focused facility.
INVESTIGATIONS
The Exploited and Missing Child Unit (EMCU) provides the investigation piece for child abuse cases. Investigators from the Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office and social workers from Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services -- Child Protective Services work as a team to investigate over 2,000 cases a year of child abuse, missing and abducted children, internet exploitation and crimes against children.
In recognition of the sensitive nature of these cases, EMCU staff receives specialized training for crimes against children that enables them to perform their duties with the least amount of trauma to the child victims. There are multiple phases to any investigation - these can include interviewing the victim, witnesses, and the perpetrator; identifying corroborating (or supporting) evidence; presenting evidence for the prosecution of the offender; and to provide services and resources to the child and their caregivers.
MEDICAL
The first priority for the investigators of child abuse is to ensure the safety and well-being of the child. If there is a suspicion of physical abuse, the child often receives a medical evaluation and treatment at a local health care facility. When there is a question that the child suffered sexual abuse, the investigation team contacts a staff member of Via Christi Regional Medical Center's SANE/SART (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Sexual Assault Response Team) Program. The SANE/SART Nurse Examiners receive comprehensive training on the examination and treatment of victims of sexual abuse and assists the investigators in deciding the appropriate exam.
If the sexual abuse took place within the last 72 hours or the child is bleeding and/or complains of pain the child should receive an "acute" exam. This type of exam takes place as soon as possible and includes a complete head-to-toe medical/forensic exam including forensic evidence collection. After this exam, investigators secure all forensic evidence from the exam and are responsible for the storage and/or processing of this evidence. If the last possible contact between the child and the abuser occurred more than 72 hours ago, an exam that includes the head-to-toe assessment will be schedule at a time convenient for the individuals involved. At the end of either type of exam, the Nurse Examiner will discuss the findings, provide treatment (if necessary), and talk about follow-up care.
ADVOCACY
Currently, the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center (WASAC) offers advocacy services to the child victims of sexual abuse and their caregivers. One goal of the WASAC is to reduce the trauma that survivors experience because of a sexual assault. An example of how this is done is to be available with the child and those present at the hospital at the time of the SANE/SART exam. The advocate is there to help make the exam process less overwhelming, provide support, answer questions and assist in referrals.
After leaving the hospital, or even if the forensic examination is not part of the reporting process, the victim advocate is available to assist the child and family. This may include providing information on rights of the non-offending parents and child, assist with the Crime Victims' Compensation application process, support counseling, accessing resources, therapy referrals, and assistance in navigating the medical/legal systems. If criminal charges are not filed, advocates can continue to work with the family. When criminal charges are filed, an advocate can assist the child and family at law enforcement interviews and court proceedings. The advocates will continue to be available even after the legal process is complete.
LEGAL
The Juvenile Division of the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office provides the legal component for child abuse, neglect and sexual assault cases presented to them by EMCU. The Juvenile Division is divided into two areas of practice: the offender side that brings criminal charges against and prosecutes offenders under the age of eighteen, and the Child in Need of Care Unit can intervene on behalf of the child who has suffered abuse, neglect and sexual assault. The decision of future legal action is determined by multiple factors that includes case evidence, testimony and witness cooperation. In some instances, it is the decision to take no further legal action. When an offender is formally charged, the case is assigned to a prosecutor, who typically follows the case to its completion.
A prosecutor from the Criminal Division of the District Attorney's Office handles the case if charges are filed against an adult offender. This prosecutor will work with the child victim throughout the process of filing charges and prosecution of the case through the court system.
MENTAL HEALTH
Providers of mental health services for children traumatized by abuse, neglect and/or sexual assault includes both partner agencies -- COMCARE of Sedgwick County and WASAC. Services can include individual counseling, play and/or art therapy, family therapy, and support groups. Our partners/providers work to tailor services to meet each individual's specific needs. Support services are also available for the family and/or caregivers. Referrals are available to connect the child and/or caregiver to a private provider when appropriate.