What to expect during your visit
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At Foothills Child Advocacy Center, the professionals working on your child’s case come together to meet with you. We know this is a very difficult time for your family. You will receive support and services to help you through the process. A trained child forensic interviewer will interview your child. The interviewer will record the interview so that your child does not have to keep talking about the situation over and over with many professionals.
What is Foothills Child Advocacy Center?
Foothills Child Advocacy Center is a friendly, safe space for children who may be victims to be interviewed and for their families to meet with the team members working on their case. Our center is located in Charlottesville, VA, but we also travel to safe spaces in Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, and Madison Counties to provide services to children and families.
How much time will the appointment take?
You should plan for at least two and a half hours for your appointment to meet with team members. If a medical exam is needed, you should plan for an additional hour.
What will happen at the appointment?
Your child will be interviewed in a child-friendly manner, and you will receive information and support. You will meet with team members such as a detective, interviewer, and family support person before and after your child’s interview. In some cases, the team may recommend that your child have a medical exam by specially trained medical staff.
What should I bring with me to Foothills?
Please do not bring any toys, electronic games, videos, food, drinks, or anything that will make your child lose focus. Water is available for the entire visit, and snacks are given after the interview.
What should I tell my child about the appointment?
Please tell your child that she or he will be meeting with a person whose job is to talk with children. You can let your child know that “it’s okay to talk about anything, and it’s important to tell the truth.” You can tell your child that they are safe and that they will not get in trouble for telling. You should not tell your child what to say.
If someone else has already told you what happened, please don’t ask your child about it. If your child has already told you what happened, please don’t ask your child about it again. If your child has not told you, please don’t ask your child. We understand that this will be difficult, but it truly is in your child's best interest to not talk to them about what happened before the interview. There is less chance of the child being embarrassed, confused, or traumatized. You will find out more at the appointment.
When should I tell my child about the appointment?
Usually a day is enough time for a child to know about the appointment.
Who can come to Foothills?
If you need to bring other children with you, please try to bring someone to help watch them so that you can meet with the team. If you don’t have anyone to help watch your children, please let Foothills’ staff know before your appointment.
IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE: The person who is alleged to have hurt or abused the child should not bring the child to the appointment and cannot be in the building.
Can I stay with my child during the interview?
It is important for the interviewer to talk with your child without you there. Children can feel more scared or ashamed if they know their parents are watching. The interview is observed and recorded so that team members do not have to keep talking to your child over and over again.
Why would my child need a medical exam?
Your child may need a medical exam, especially when sexual abuse may have taken place. Highly trained medical staff will explain everything to you before the exam and will help you and your child to feel comfortable. The medical exam will ensure that your child receives appropriate medical care if needed. The exam will also reassure your child and you that they are okay physically.
Foothills Child Advocacy Center is a friendly, safe space for children who may be victims to be interviewed and for their families to meet with the team members working on their case. Our center is located in Charlottesville, VA, but we also travel to safe spaces in Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, and Madison Counties to provide services to children and families.
How much time will the appointment take?
You should plan for at least two and a half hours for your appointment to meet with team members. If a medical exam is needed, you should plan for an additional hour.
What will happen at the appointment?
Your child will be interviewed in a child-friendly manner, and you will receive information and support. You will meet with team members such as a detective, interviewer, and family support person before and after your child’s interview. In some cases, the team may recommend that your child have a medical exam by specially trained medical staff.
What should I bring with me to Foothills?
Please do not bring any toys, electronic games, videos, food, drinks, or anything that will make your child lose focus. Water is available for the entire visit, and snacks are given after the interview.
What should I tell my child about the appointment?
Please tell your child that she or he will be meeting with a person whose job is to talk with children. You can let your child know that “it’s okay to talk about anything, and it’s important to tell the truth.” You can tell your child that they are safe and that they will not get in trouble for telling. You should not tell your child what to say.
If someone else has already told you what happened, please don’t ask your child about it. If your child has already told you what happened, please don’t ask your child about it again. If your child has not told you, please don’t ask your child. We understand that this will be difficult, but it truly is in your child's best interest to not talk to them about what happened before the interview. There is less chance of the child being embarrassed, confused, or traumatized. You will find out more at the appointment.
When should I tell my child about the appointment?
Usually a day is enough time for a child to know about the appointment.
Who can come to Foothills?
If you need to bring other children with you, please try to bring someone to help watch them so that you can meet with the team. If you don’t have anyone to help watch your children, please let Foothills’ staff know before your appointment.
IMPORTANT, PLEASE NOTE: The person who is alleged to have hurt or abused the child should not bring the child to the appointment and cannot be in the building.
Can I stay with my child during the interview?
It is important for the interviewer to talk with your child without you there. Children can feel more scared or ashamed if they know their parents are watching. The interview is observed and recorded so that team members do not have to keep talking to your child over and over again.
Why would my child need a medical exam?
Your child may need a medical exam, especially when sexual abuse may have taken place. Highly trained medical staff will explain everything to you before the exam and will help you and your child to feel comfortable. The medical exam will ensure that your child receives appropriate medical care if needed. The exam will also reassure your child and you that they are okay physically.
