WHAT IS A CHILD ADVOCACY CENTRE
In Australia 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be abused before 18 years of age, the consequences of which are wide ranging and costly. As a society, it is our combined response to the child and family that can help determine the long term outcome and impact abuse.
A Child Advocacy Centre is a community based, family friendly place
where professionals from different agencies and disciplines come
together to provide specialist services to children, young people and
families who have experienced abuse. Police, child protection workers,
Psychologists, child and family advocates and other allied health form a
team to reduce the harmful impacts of trauma from abuse.
Parkerville Children and Youth Care opened Australia’s first Child Advocacy Centre in Armadale in 2011. The George Jones Child Advocacy Centre now responds to one third of all child sexual abuse reports in Western Australia. We opened our new state of art one, The Stan and Jean Perron Centre in 2020, based in midland.
The research evaluation of the George Jones Advocacy Centre undertaken by the University of South Australia findings noted the centre as International best practice; and has been recommended expanding the model throughout Australia.
The child friendly facilities are a place
of hope for children and young people who have been abused, bringing
together child abuse professionals who support the needs of child
victims and their families.
The Child Advocacy Centres are an easily
accessible visible service in the community, promoting the importance of
child safety and wellbeing. They run community
activities and programmes and supports professionals in their work,
facilitating ongoing learning for those who work with children.