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WHAT IS THE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER?

By Jon Mayhew
LINCOLNTON

It’s a sobering statistic not too many people know about across
Lincoln County. In January 2009, 80 cases of child abuse were
filed in the county.

The Lincoln County Child Advocacy Center is a place many of
those children involved in situations of abuse go to begin the
healing process.

It’s also a place that, according to executive director Cathy Davis,
is running out of room. It’s running out of room so quickly, in
fact, the CAC is looking at buying a two-story blue house on the
corner of North Grove Street and Bonview Avenue.

The house – address 504 North Grove Street – was the site of a
double murder/suicide in November 2002. One of the victims
was 13-year-old Amanda Barnhardt, who was shot by her
stepfather, Kevin Morrison, as she called 911.

CAC staff member Cathy Davis said the house would be
“perfect” for the work the CAC does. She told The Carolina
Scoop she understands the concerns of safety recently voiced
by neighbors around the property.

“It’s understandable, considering what happened there,” said
Davis. “However, they need to understand we work closely with
law enforcement in helping children who have been abused.”

According to Davis, the CAC was created by professionals from
the child protection division, law enforcement departments,
prosecutor's office, school personnel, medical and mental health
community, and by local individuals that recognized a need for a
better way to serve young victims of child abuse.

“From dialogue generated by these concerned citizens, the Child
Advocacy Center (CAC) evolved and now works together with
agencies and professionals to reduce the trauma of severe
physical and sexual abuse experienced by children,” said Davis.

The CAC is a child friendly, child focused environment, providing
consistent and rapid follow-up to abuse allegations, medical and
mental health areas for immediate treatment, and
non-threatening forensic interviewing rooms that enables
neutral, fact-finding interviews legally defensible in court.

“Children referred to the CAC are greeted by sensitively trained
staff and child abuse professionals,” said Davis. “The
professionals work together within a coordinated multidisciplinary
team to lead the investigation. Specially trained and certified
staff works with the child and the non-offending parents or
caretakers and other family members for successful prosecution
of the offender.”

For more information on the Lincoln County Child Advocacy
Center, call (704) 736-1155. Visit the CAC Web site at
www.caclincolncounty.org.

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