Oneida County Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center

Overview

In January 1990, a Child Sexual Abuse Task Force was established in Oneida County and, in 1998, the Task Force was renamed the Child Advocacy Center (CAC). The CAC handles investigations of child sexual abuse in which the victim is under 17 years of age.

The Oneida County Department of Family and Community Services developed the CAC in conjunction with the Oneida County District Attorney, and the four major law enforcement agencies in the County – the New York State Police, Oneida County Sheriff's Department, Utica Police Department, and the Rome Police Department.  Along with the investigators from these agencies, a Child Protective Supervisor and Child Protective Caseworkers complete the investigative staff.  Forensic medical examinations are provided by trained medical professionals. Personnel from the YWCA are available to provide support to victims of abuse. Additionally, counselors from Social Services, YWCA, Center for Life and Recovery, and the Neighborhood Center Inc. are available to provide support to victims of abuse. Where evidence warrants, criminal arrests are made and/or Family Court Petitions are filed.

The CAC Goals are:

• Reduce the trauma to child victims during the investigative and court processes.
• Gather better evidence to pursue criminal indictments and prosecutions.
• Maintain records of reports, arrests, and convictions.
• Provide ongoing training to the CAC staff and other service providers.
• Public service presentations to the community.
• Increase the number of victims, secondary victims, and perpetrators receiving treatment.

If you would like to donate items to the Child Advocacy Center please contact us. We highly appreciate stuffed animals (preferably new) for the children we serve. In case of emergency please dial 911. If you suspect Child Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Neglect, or Maltreatment, this can be reported to NYS Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-342-3720.