We’re providing the #bestpossibleresponse to child sexual abuse in Pennsylvania.

One that keeps kids safe and gets child victims what they need to heal after trauma. That lets survivors know it’s not their fault and they’re not alone. That brings child sexual abuse out of the shadows, so victims and survivors can SHINE.

It takes a lot of courage for someone to survive child sexual abuse.

It takes courage for them to heal after trauma. And it takes courage for all of us to stand up for kids & support survivors.

When abuse happens, what happens next REALLY matters. That’s why we’re here. Children’s Advocacy Centers ensure that child victims get the response they need to be safe and heal. By learning how to talk about abuse, and supporting your local CAC, you can help us bring child sexual abuse out of the shadows so more survivors can SHINE.

Join the free SHINE Walk on 9/15 to support child victims and survivors!

CACs Make a Difference .

Every day, we take action to reduce harm and improve support for child victims of sexual abuse in PA.

When a child finds the courage to disclose abuse, we make sure that happens in the best way possible.

A safe, child-friendly place, with people they can trust, helps kids feel comfortable enough to talk about what happened.

Everyone who needs to be involved in an investigation can work together to reduce trauma to the child.

A child is interviewed one time by someone trained to talk to kids about abuse. The rest of the team watches from another room.

CACs also provide age-appropriate medical exams to ensure health and safety, and connect kids and caregivers to trauma therapy.

All of the support that a CAC provides can mean the difference between ongoing trauma and the start of a healing journey.

YOU can help us change the conversation about child sexual abuse by responding with WORDS THAT HEAL

Chances are you know a survivor of child sexual abuse. It could be a member of your family, a close friend, or someone in your faith community. One way to show YOUR courage is to take the time to learn how to talk about this sensitive and difficult topic in a way that helps survivors feel supported and child victims get what they need to be safe and heal.

Read our “Words That Heal” guide to get started. Share it with your friends and family members,and invite them to join our campaign for courage.

Support For Survivors

Nobody is alone in the struggle to overcome the trauma of sexual abuse. If you're a survivor, we've created a resource page just for you. The healing journey never ends, but it has to start somewhere. See our list of survivor-led and survivor-focused organizations that are available to provide information, peer support, and referrals.

Join Our Campaign for Courage

Together, we can help survivors SHINE. Stay in touch. Keep learning. Keep healing. Help us make sure every child and survivor in PA gets the #bestpossibleresponse.