Every Child Feels Safe in Our Village
For more than 30 years, the Center for Child Protection has been a lifeline for children impacted by abuse in Travis County. As a nationally accredited children’s advocacy center, our work is grounded in the belief that it truly takes a village to protect a child.
This village, comprising our generous donors, expert Child Protection Team partners, and dedicated volunteers, is united in its commitment to support the children of Travis County. Our efforts focus on reducing the trauma inflicted by child sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and witness to a violent crime by ensuring every child is given the opportunity to heal and thrive.
This is the story of how our village helped Olivia.
Olivia’s Outcry
Olivia was just 10 years old when she told a school counselor that her father’s best friend, whom she had called ‘Uncle John’ all her life, had forced her to do things she wasn’t comfortable with over the past 12 months.
The abuse started shortly after her parents’ divorce. On the weekends, Olivia’s father would drop her at Uncle John’s house on his way to work.
As a mandatory reporter, the school counselor contacted the child abuse hotline with concerns that Olivia had been subjected to sexual abuse.
Following an investigation by Child Protective Services and law enforcement, a detective assigned to the case contacted the Center for Child Protection to schedule a forensic interview for Olivia. This interview would help to build a criminal case against her alleged abuser.
In 2023, the Center coordinated 1,106 cases similar to Olivia’s, collaborating with our Child Protection Team partners to provide immediate support.
Everyone was very friendly from the moment you entered the Center. They make us feel very comfortable and confident. Reflections from a caretaker , 2023
Olivia’s Forensic Interview
Recounting the details of abuse is traumatic for any child, but it is an essential step in investigating crimes against them.
From the moment Olivia arrived at the Center for Child Protection in East Austin with her mother, she felt safe, supported and believed.
They were welcomed into the lobby by a program support team member and Olivia was guided to a play area which was thoughtfully designed to create a safe, calm space for kids just like her. From the natural light and soothing color palettes to the toys and activities, each detail in the play area prioritized comfort and security.
A dedicated family advocate came out to prepare Olivia’s mother separately for the upcoming interview, while Olivia continued to play with her program support team member.
Soon after, a friendly forensic interviewer led Olivia to a quiet room where she was able to share her story in her own words. In 2023, 855 children like Olivia had the opportunity to tell their own stories at the Center.
While Olivia was sharing her story, the family advocate sat in a nearby room with her mother, explaining what support their family would receive from law enforcement, child protective services, healthcare, and the legal sector.
The attention provided by staff was excellent. They really gave us the confidence to feel like we would be able to cope with any situation. The Center felt safe and calm and the children were able to draw, color, paint and play. Reflections from a caretaker , 2023
Olivia’s Medical Support
Once the forensic interview was complete, Olivia and her mother were met by their family advocate for a visit to the Center’s medical clinic for an assessment. Thanks to a partnership with Dell Children’s Medical Center, the Center conducted 626 medical assessments with children in 2023.
Olivia was introduced to Dr. Snyder, a board-certified pediatrician specializing in child abuse. Dr. Snyder was compassionate and reassured Olivia that she was healthy and strong, which helped to ease a lot of the stress she had been feeling.
Dr. Snyder’s medical report would contribute vital medical expertise to the investigation and eventual prosecution involving Uncle John.
I like that everyone shows that they care about you and your situation. Reflections from a child , 2023
Olivia’s Therapeutic Support
Olivia’s mother also took her to the Center for Child Protection each week for therapy sessions with Ava, a clinical therapist. Ava was trained in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) which assesses the impact of trauma on a child’s brain development and creates personalized treatment plans that target the specific needs of the child.
In 2023, the Center’s clinical team provided 4,722 therapy sessions to kids just like Olivia.
Ava also encouraged Olivia’s mother to participate in family relational therapy at the Center to improve their communication skills and rebuild trust between them.
During her summer vacation, Olivia signed up to participate in the Center’s annual ‘Summer Theater’ play. Abuse can erode a child’s ability to feel safe, trust others, and embrace the simple joys of childhood, but programs like ‘Summer Theater’ give kids new skills to cope with past hurt.
Over the summer, Olivia built her confidence, learned to regulate emotions and explore self-expression through activities like role-play, dance, music and set production. Performing the play in front of her friends and family also helped Olivia reclaim a sense of normalcy.
Prosecutorial Process Support
Through the diligent work of the Child Protection Team, Uncle John was eventually charged with a range of criminal child abuse offenses.
The Center for Child Protection works with over 300 members from law enforcement, the Department of Family and Protective Services, and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.
The law gives defendants the right to confront any witness who testifies against them, which meant Olivia was forced to see Uncle John in a courtroom. This made her very anxious, but luckily, her family advocate was there to guide her and her mother through the entire process.
She also had the Center’s Facility Dog, a cuddly yellow labrador called Mickler, to keep her calm. He came with her to court and snuggled near her feet inside the witness box.
They made me feel safe. Reflections from a child , 2023
Life Beyond Trauma
The court case was finally over, but Olivia didn’t feel like she used to. Her therapist, Ava, told her this was normal and she could continue their therapy sessions as long as she needed. She was always welcome to visit the Center, even later in life if she needed support.
Olivia was also told she’d have two new Facility Dog friends, Rosa and Star, to interact with next, once they graduated from their training.
Thank You
Overcoming the impacts of child abuse is a lifelong process, but with the right village in place, children can heal and thrive after trauma.
Every step of Olivia’s journey – from her initial outcry of abuse and forensic interview, to the healthcare and ongoing mental health treatment she received – was made possible by the generosity of donors like you.
From everyone at the Center for Child Protection, thank you for your continued support.
*Client name and case details have been altered to protect privacy. Olivia’s story provides just one representation of a child’s experience at the Center for Child Protection.
