our
Services
The mission of Safe Harbor is to respond to child abuse through a team approach designed to reduce trauma, seek justice, and foster hope and healing for children and their families. Our Child Advocacy Center establishes a safe, child friendly environment for fact-finding interviews, medical evaluations, and therapy services for children and offers continued support through advocacy. We also promote specialized training for professionals, public education, and prevention efforts.
Wendell, our facility HERO program dog
What services are provided?
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Forensic interviews at the request of law enforcement or the Department of Health and Human Services
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Advocacy and support for children and families
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Medical examinations to ensure health, safety and well-being
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Case coordination in partnership with our multidisciplinary team members
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Trauma informed therapy services for children and their family members
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Professional training to educate on warning signs of child abuse, appropriate response to disclosure, prevention measures and other trauma-informed topics
What kinds of cases are seen at the Child Advocacy Center?
The Child Advocacy Center is available for fact-finding interviews and medical examinations of children who are alleged to have been victims of:
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Sexual abuse, including children exhibiting sexualized behaviors
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Sex and Labor trafficking
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Serious Physical Abuse
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Witness to violent crimes, including domestic violence, homicide, or robbery
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Kidnapping or attempted kidnapping
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Exposure to possession, use and manufacturing of illegal drugs
What hours are you available to help?
Our normal hours of operations are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but the Center is currently open by appointment only. For emergency situations, our center can be accessed by law enforcement, the Department of Health and Human Services and area hospitals via our after-hours emergency number.
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If I want my child to be seen at the Child Advocacy Center, what is the referral process?
Alabama Mandatory Reporting Statute 26-14-3 requires everyone to report suspected abuse and neglect to the proper law enforcement agency or the Department of Health and Human Services hotline
1-800-4ACHILD (800-422-4453). Reports can be made through DHR. Website is dhr.alabama.gov and reports can be made by phone in each county.
Butler 334-382-4400
Crenshaw 334-335-7000
Lowndes 334-5478-3800
The first step is making the report.
Once the report is made and accepted for investigation, law enforcement or the Department of Health and Human Services will arrange for a forensic interview and medical evaluation at the Child Advocacy Center. Sometimes it may be hard to figure out what to do. If you are not sure and would like to talk to one of our child advocates, please call the Child Advocacy Center between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at 334-382-8584.
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