Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) play a crucial role in supporting children who have experienced abuse, providing a coordinated response that addresses their unique needs. These community-based programs utilize a multidisciplinary team approach, which is recognized as a best practice for delivering trauma-informed services that aid in healing and support families.

The long-term psychological effects of child abuse, including anxiety, PTSD, and depression, can persist into adulthood, leading to future violence, substance use, and diminished educational and employment outcomes. Economic studies estimate that each incidence of child maltreatment costs the public approximately $400,533 over a victim's lifetime. In contrast, proactive investments in prevention and services offered by CACs are not only cost-effective but essential for ensuring children's safety and well-being.

In Washington, CACs served around 68,100 children last year, addressing cases of sexual abuse, physical abuse, severe neglect, and more. However, they are facing alarming trends, including increased polyvictimization and higher instances of child-on-child abuse. The centers are currently at a critical juncture, grappling with severe funding challenges exacerbated by projected cuts to the Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants, which provide about two-thirds of their funding.

Without immediate intervention, these funding cuts could lead to the closure of CACs, depriving vulnerable children of essential services such as forensic interviews, specialized therapy, and medical examinations. The potential shutdown of these centers would force children and their caregivers to navigate a fragmented system, risking further trauma and complicating their recovery process. The future of CACs is uncertain, and immediate action is needed to ensure that these vital services remain available to those in need.