Children’s Advocacy Center

When child abuse is disclosed, you may wonder where to turn, how the legal process works and how your family will be supported during an investigation. The Children’s Advocacy Center of Pierce County provides a child-focused, safe place for families to get help.

We work in partnership with the Mary Bridge Child Abuse Intervention Department and other organizations to prevent, investigate, prosecute and treat child abuse. We serve children from birth through age 17 who are victims of suspected abuse or neglect and their families.

Our center is recognized by the National Children’s Alliance and Children’s Advocacy Centers of Washington State.

Our team includes mental health providers, forensic interviewers, victim advocates, social workers, medical staff from the Mary Bridge Child Abuse Intervention Department and representatives from the following groups:

• Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
• Local law enforcement
• Child Protective Services
• Attorney General’s Office

By working together as a team under one roof, our goal is to make the process as simple and supportive as possible for children while increasing the rate of successful investigation and prosecution of abuse.

We place the needs of children first. Early intervention not only aids an investigation but also makes it possible for recovery to begin. Here’s how we help families:

• Conduct joint interviews, which reduces the number of interviews a child must endure to complete an investigation.
• Provide referrals to investigative parties as well as healthcare providers.
• Facilitate access to support services immediately following a disclosure of abuse.

We also believe its important to promote child safety by educating the community about child abuse issues. We provide training for those who work with children and the professionals who help victims of abuse.

We are located in the Safe and Sound Building on the MultiCare campus in Tacoma.

Our child-friendly, relaxing atmosphere provides families with a calming and supportive environment. Featuring a large fish tank, our lobby is full of children’s books, movies and toys.