Maine Network of Children's Advocacy Centers
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IT'S SIMPLE.

they work.

CACs help families.

When a child discloses abuse, parents and caregivers often feel at a loss. They are scared about what to do next, and how to help their child. CACs give families information about what a child may need after a disclosure - and what families can do. 97% of caregivers seen at a Maine CAC felt that the CAC provided them resources to support their child and respond to their child's needs in the days and weeks following the disclosure.

Part of what can be scary is not knowing what is going to happen at the appointment. CAC staff make sure that families' questions are answered and that they know what will happen next. 98% of caregivers seen at a Maine CAC agree the process for interviewing their children at the center was clearly explained to them.

CACs support investigations.

It was a very friendly and warm atmosphere, for both myself and my child.  Also, we were given lots of information to help us with the process.​
-CAC Client
The CAC staff are absolutely amazing and extremely helpful. Their work is priceless. It has helped me in many cases and I wouldn’t have a good case without them.
                             -MDT member
CACs coordinate what is called multidisciplinary teams, or MDTs. These MDTs are made up of law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy, and others. The goal of the MDT in each case is to make sure all team members have the information they need to make sure they can prosecute a case - with less trauma for the children and families involved. 

Maine's CACs start out as MDTs and are built around the idea that children and families deserve support and that offenders should be held accountable. The MDT grows, makes sure it works well together, and then becomes a CAC that serves children and families.

Maine CACs by the numbers

In 2017, Maine CACs provided:
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The Network is a program of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
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Proudly accredited by the National Children's Alliance
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Funded in part by the Maine Department of Health & Human Services, and by your generous public and private donations.
Maine Network of Children's Advocacy Centers

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741. For more information, click here. 

For information on how to report child abuse click here or call 1-800-452-1999 or Maine Relay (711) for Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

In accordance with federal regulations, the Maine Network of Children's Advocacy Centers does not discriminate in the access to or provision of its services.
  • Home
  • the network
    • Mission & Contact Us
    • prevention work
  • get help
    • how to respond
    • maine resources
  • Maine's Efforts
    • Maine's CACs
    • how it works
    • cacs work
    • Your Questions