Children Deserve to be Protected

When potential abuse is reported, the child takes center stage in a terrifying drama. They are scared, hurt, confused, and perhaps uncertain about what to do or what to say. They must undergo a physical exam, and explain how they’ve been hurt. And once the exam is done, the case must still be prosecuted through the courts. In the meantime, there are all the questions of what happens to the children, where do they live, and much more uprooting that takes place.

The Weiss Advocacy Center provides two primary services to help children through this traumatic ordeal.

Interview and exam services

There are physical exams and lots of questions that must be answered in order for the justice system to prosecute offenders. Unfortunately, that can be very traumatic for a child who is in an emergency room, being questioned repeatedly by a series of unknown adults. So the Weiss Advocacy Center provides a place for children to tell their stories in a safe, friendly environment, with a single adult who can compassionately listen, examine, and ask the necessary questions. Behind the scenes, a multidisciplinary team can watch the interviews and ensure that all issues related to prosecution are addressed without asking the child to tell and retell their story. This multidisciplinary approach involves members of Child Protective Services, law enforcement, physicians, prosecutors, and more.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

CASA volunteers are specially trained to work on behalf of children in foster care to ensure the children receive the care and services they need. The CASA representative’s only job is to look out for the child’s best interest, from the time they enter foster care until they are reunited with their family or placed for adoption. They appear in court to speak for the child; they visit regularly; they let the child know that someone is looking out for them. A CASA volunteer works with only 3-4 children at a time, so that each one receives priority and special attention.

Parents are supposed to provide love and support. But when that doesn’t happen, someone needs to speak up and protect the children who otherwise remain victims. You can learn more about the children we save through our stories. Please consider giving your time or resources to help us fight abuse.

"It’s about replacing a life of hurt with a life of hope.”