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The Child Advocacy Center is Breaking Ground to Gain Ground in Erie County’s Child Abuse Response

A grim statistic reveals Erie County to be New York State’s second highest county for reported child abuse and neglect, with over 3,000 children annually facing physical and sexual abuse. At the national level, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys will experience sexual abuse before they turn 18. Behind these numbers are vulnerable children in need of safety and support.

Despite best intentions aimed at understanding a survivor’s situation and needs, the separate evaluations that occur in schools, hospitals, and police stations, perpetuate a survivor’s trauma by forcing them to repeatedly recall horrific details.

Integral to reducing the distress of young survivors who disclose their story is providing a safe, child-friendly space in which the number of times they are asked to recount their experience is kept to a minimum. 

Fortunately, Erie County is home to a nationally accredited program that streamlines efforts to nurture a healing process for every survivor. Through its coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach, the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) at BestSelf Behavioral Health convenes key players in a single, neutral location to provide supportive services to survivors and their families every step of the way, from investigation to treatment, as well as prevention of further abuse. In doing so, the CAC ensures that a child’s story is heard the first time. 

Established in 1993 as one of only two CACs across New York State, this locally-based facility was made possible in large part by the dedication and advocacy work of the late Lee Gross Anthone, a Buffalo native. Ever since, the specially-trained professionals at the CAC have demonstrated their commitment to compassionately serving children and families in need.

At its current capacity however, the CAC at BestSelf is only able to assist with 30% of Erie County’s abuse cases. Determined to address this gap, BestSelf Behavioral Health has launched an extensive capital project that will enable the CAC to support every child abuse victim within the county. 

Kevin O’Leary, Committee Chair,
CAC’s Capital Campaign

This project will result in a relocated, state-of–the art CAC that will also house BestSelf Behavioral Health’s headquarters and a Community Training Center. The new 66,432 square foot site, at 899 Main Street, is located in close proximity to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and will quadruple the CAC’s current footprint. Moreover, the new facility will reduce wait times, offer extended hours, and provide 24/7 on-call staffing. 

In its entirety, the cost of this project is $27.8 million, with the CAC comprising $10.5 million of the total. While the CAC has already been successful in securing over $6.3 million in financial commitments to its capital campaign, a project of this scale and importance requires the support of the entire community. 

The CAC’s Capital Campaign Committee Chair, Kevin O’Leary, has stated,

“The more people understand how serious child sexual abuse is, the more resources can be devoted to finding a solution to stop it. No child should suffer from physical or sexual abuse. Until we find a way to stop it, the CAC is our best solution for protecting our children. We can begin the healing process and hopefully bring that child back to a place where they can heal and move forward with their lives. By supporting the CAC, we can help protect our most vulnerable population. This campaign calls on our community to come together and become heroes of hope for the children of Western New York.” 

To learn more about the amazing work of the CAC at BestSelf and to support their vision of all children safe from harm, head to their website

The post <strong>The Child Advocacy Center is Breaking Ground to Gain Ground in Erie County’s Child Abuse Response</strong> appeared first on Buffalo Rising.

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