Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County

What a totally incredible event!  The 100 Women sponsored luncheon featuring Marilyn Van Derbur was one that touched every person attending in a way that literally left everyone speechless.  Marilyn shared her experiences with us, the feelings that still linger, and how she struggled to overcome the effects of 13 years of incest by her father.  Despite all odds, she fought to reclaim herself in a way that saved not only her, but thousands of others who are honored to hear her speak.  What a very special lady and how fortunate the Aiken community is to have heard her.  Now it is up to us to speak up for our children to save them from such atrocities!

Mission

The mission of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of Aiken County is to provide a safe environment and supportive services which promote healing to abused children and their families through intervention, treatment and prevention.

History

In 2002 many different community agency leaders and interested citizens began meeting to discuss the possibility of establishing a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in Aiken County. At that time, abused children were being interviewed by staff from many different agencies in a variety of places. These less than ideal circumstances were traumatic.  Often times, children would recant, or the information was not shared from agency to agency. When a child needed a medical examination, long distance travel was necessary which only increased the level of anxiety and stress. Unfortunately, these abuse cases often fell between the cracks and there was no voice for the children. 

Due to the determination and diligence of agency leaders and interested citizens who served on the CAC Board, many years of planning finally grew into a viable and realistic plan for the CAC. On August 31, 2005, the CAC received its designation from the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c) (3), private nonprofit organization. The CAC initially operated out of one room at the United Way. Later, it was located in a small office down town. In August of 2008, the CAC moved into a new building especially designed for its unique services. The building was largely funded by the County with revenue from the one cent sales tax. The CAC was accredited by the National Children’s Alliance in August of 2008. The staff has grown from one to a staff of five, with one contract employees. Leaders of the original founding agencies have transitioned into the Advisory Board which promotes cooperation among the child-serving agencies. The CAC is presently governed by a Board of Directors which consists of concerned community members. 

Partners

Many different community agencies have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Child Advocacy Center. These agencies are represented on the Multidisciplinary Team and on the Advisory Board.  These agencies are:

Aiken County Department of Social Services

Aiken County Guardian Ad Litem Program

Aiken County School District

Aiken County Sheriff’s Office

Aiken Department of Public Safety

Aiken Regional Medical Center

Aiken-Barnwell Mental Health Center

Children’s Place, Inc.

Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons

Department of Juvenile Justice

Helping Hands, Inc.

North Augusta Public Safety

Solicitor’s Office for the Second Judicial Circuit