A National Survey of Child Advocacy Center Directors Regarding Knowledge of Assessment, Treatment Referral, and Training Needs in Physical and Sexual Abuse

Abstract

Mental health services are a core component of child advocacy centers in the United States. Child advocacy center directors were surveyed about (a) trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder; (b) referral criteria for treatment of abuse victims; (c) evidence-based treatments for abused children; (d) reliable, valid, and normed measures helpful in assessment; and (e) training needs. Directors accurately identified posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, but additional symptoms were misidentified. Directors identified best practices for assessment and treatment, but they misidentified non-evidence-based practices. Primary reasons for referral for services included severity of abuse and emotional response of the child. However, referrals based on assessment findings were not a high priority. Directors expressed some training needs for staff consistent with issues identified in the study.

KEYWORDS:

• child abuse
• mental health services
• child advocacy center
• PTSD

Notes

¹ At the time of the study, AF-CBT was referred to as abuse-focused cognitive behavioral therapy; it is currently known as alternatives for families—cognitive behavioral therapy.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jeffrey N. Wherry

Jeffrey N. Wherry, PhD, ABPP, is the director of the Research Institute at the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center. His interests include assessment of abuse-related symptoms, training in evidence-based assessment, and PTSD in abused children.

Cassandra C. Huey

Cassandra C. Huey is a doctoral student at Texas Tech University. Her interests include child abuse, foster care, and cultural competency.

Elizabeth A. Medford

Elizabeth A. Medford was a graduate student at Texas Tech University with interests in domestic violence, child abuse, and development.