Child protection 

Our Child Protection Team evaluates, diagnoses and treats children who have been sexually or physically abused or neglected. This dedicated group of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and social workers is available 24 hours a day to perform evaluations for acute sexual assault. They also see patients by appointment in an outpatient clinic. 

Our team works closely with Child Protective Services and law enforcement to ensure the safety and well-being of children across our region. Our team is a nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Center, which is a child-focused, multidisciplinary program aimed at supporting children who have experienced abuse or neglect and to prevent future cases. 

What to expect 

We make every effort to help children feel relaxed and comfortable in a safe, compassionate and family-friendly environment. The clinic process includes:  

• A full history (children and parents will be interviewed separately) 
• Complete physical exam (a parent or guardian may be present) 
• Photographs taken with a special camera 
• Lab tests as necessary 

Child abuse facts 

Child abuse occurs at every income level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions, and at all levels of education. In the United States, a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds. Ninety percent of child abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68 percent are abused by family members.