Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What should I do if I suspect child abuse?
A. If you suspect or know that a child is being abused, call the Abuse Hotline at
1- 800-96-ABUSE (962-2873).  Calls are confidential.  Or you can report the incident
online at: www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report

Q. How many children does the Center serve a year?
A. The Center provides services to 3,500-4,000 children per year.

Q. Which counties does the Children’s Advocacy Center serve?
A.  The Center serves the residents of Lee, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry Counties.

Q. Where is the Center located?
A.  The Center is located at 3830 Evans Avenue, Fort Myers. We are within walking distance of LeeTran bus stops. Ample parking is available.

Q. Is there a fee for services?
A.  All services are free of charge.

Q. Are children housed overnight at the Center?
A. No, the Children’s Advocacy Center is not an overnight shelter. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Our Child Protection Team and Medical staff are on-call 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.

Q. What happens at the Children’s Advocacy Center?
A. The Children’s Advocacy Center is a child-friendly place where children meet with specially trained staff about issues of child abuse and neglect. If your child is to be interviewed, the interview will take place in a private, child-friendly room, specifically designed for interviewing children.

Q. What do I tell my child about the interview?
A. You might tell your child, “You and I are going to the Children’s Advocacy Center. It is a special place where kids go to talk. There will be a person there who talks to lots of kids about what happens to them and that person will be talking to you too.” You might also consider telling your child, “That person will need to know   everything that you remember so that we can make sure you are safe and okay.” It is important to let your child know that he or she is not in any trouble.

Q. Who will my child talk to?
A. Your child will meet with a member of the Child Protection Team who has received specialized training in talking to children about difficult subjects. The interviewer’s goal is to make your child as comfortable as possible while gathering the necessary information for an investigation. Questions are asked in a non-threatening and non-leading manner. The interviewer moves at a pace that is comfortable for your child and never forces a child to talk.

Q. Can I watch the interview?
A. Only those parties who are directly involved with the investigation of the allegations are allowed to observe the child's interview while at the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Q. Will my child need a medical exam?
A. The case coordinator will decide if your child needs a medical exam.  If one is needed, one of our medical practitioners will examine your child. You might tell your child, “We are going to see a nurse who takes care of kids. She is not going to hurt you. She just needs to make sure your body is okay.”  

Q. What happens after the interview?
A. You will be asked to talk to a member of the Child Protetion Team both before, and briefly after, the interview. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and voice your concerns.

Q. Should I get counseling for my child?
A. Yes. Children may be uncomfortable discussing the abuse with their parents because they feel ashamed or guilty. Should negative emotions or reactions to the abuse remain untreated, or if the child cannot properly express discomfort; he or she will experience greater suffering and trauma.