Kane County
Child Advocacy Center
The Kane County Child Advocacy Center is committed to providing a safe, child-focused environment for child victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse, ensuring thorough and victim-sensitive investigations and prosecutions.
A team that includes a prosecutor, investigator, DCFS child protection investigator, social workers and a victim advocate collaborates on each case to minimize the stress on the child and the child's family and to ensure that effective medical treatment and counseling are available to each child who experiences abuse.
If you believe your child or any child has been physically or sexually abused, call 911, or call the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873).
Illinois DCFS and the police refer all eligible cases to the Kane County Child Advocacy Center.
Location:
427 Campbell Street, Geneva, Ill. 60134
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except court holidays. Interviews by appointment only.
Telephone: (630) 208-5160
Fax: (630) 208-5159
Reporting Child Abuse
As part of our continuing effort to improve awareness about child abuse and neglect and how the public can help, we have joined with CASA Kane County and the Kane County Regional Office of Education to produce this flyer, which is being distributed anywhere children gather. The message is simple: You don't have to be a mandated reporter to report suspected child abuse and neglect. Anyone can report it. Just call the DCFS hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873).
Reporting physical or sexual child abuse and neglect
Child abuse can take many forms -- physical, sexual and emotional are the most serious. Anyone who believes that abuse has occurred should report their concerns for follow-up by trained professionals. More...
Most people who work with children in any capacity are required by Illinois law to call the DCFS Hotline anytime they believe a child may have been abused. More...
Additional links
DCFS
Prevent Child Abuse Illinois
Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois
Illinois Sex Offender Registry
National Children's Advocacy Center
Friends of Child Advocacy
Friends of Child Advocacy is a nonprofit organization that raises money to assist the hundreds of victims of sexually and physically abused children in Kane County and their family members whose cases are investigated by the Kane County Child Advocacy Center. Friends of Child Advocacy assists with funds for counseling sessions and medical examinations, supports advocacy programs, funds education and training for counselors, coordinates a holiday Sponsor-a-Family program for families in need, and provides the Kane County Child Advocacy Center with items that directly benefit child abuse victims. For more information about Friends of Child Advocacy, call the Kane County Child Advocacy Center at (630) 208-5160, visit the Website at
www.friendsofkcac.org or email
info@friendsofkcac.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the CAC become involved in a case?
A. All cases of sexual abuse or physical abuse against children that meet the CAC's criteria are referred directly by DCFS and the police departments within Kane County.
Q. What cases does the CAC accept?
A. Specifically:
- Cases of sexual abuse or sexual assault to all victims under age 13.
- Cases of sexual abuse or sexual assault to victims between age 13 and 17 when any of the following also are present:
- Reports of use of a substantial element of force OR
- More than five years age difference between victim and offender OR
- Offender is a family member, caretaker or person in authority.
- Suspect must be at least 10 years old
Q. Does the CAC provide sexual assault medical examinations?
A. The CAC does not provide emergency medical response for acute trauma. Acute traumas include incidents alleged to have occurred during the preceding 72 to 96 hours. Acute trauma is referred to local hospital emergency rooms. If during the course of an investigation it is determined that a child needs specialized medical services for ongoing abuse or any abuse that occurred outside of the 96 hour window, the CAC will arrange for the examination with a specialist trained in child abuse.
Q. My child is acting out sexually. Does this mean he or she has been abused?
A. Not necessarily. Children are naturally curious and normal development includes a range of sexualized behaviors. Children also are exposed to a great deal of sexual information in today's Internet and television environment. Many resources regarding normal sexual curiosity are available for parents. You can contact your pediatrician, and we are always happy to answer questions or refer families to needed resources.
Q. What should I do if I fear my child has been abused?
A. If your child has made a statement about being abused, remain calm, believe them, assure them they are safe and make a report to the police department where the abuse likely occurred. It is not your job as a parent to prove or disprove an allegation. Do not question your child regarding the abuse because this can be very confusing to them. If you suspect that your child has been abused by a family member or a person in a postion of authority, you can report your suspicions to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services at 1-800-25 ABUSE (1-800-252-2873). Whether you contact the police or DCFS, referrals will be made to the CAC if needed, and an investigation will be undertaken to determine what, if anything, has occurred.
Q. My spouse is late with child support payments. Can the CAC help?
A. No. For help with issues of child support, see the
Child Support section of this Web site. Visitation disagreements or other custody issues require the assistance of a civil attorney.
