The system is responsible for protecting children and holding offenders accountable. The more information and cooperation you give to the team of professionals working in the system, the better job they can do on the case.

Basic Tips
Here are some basic tips for working with professionals in the system:

• Be calm and reassuring to your child. Don't coach your child on what to say. It is important that your child describes what happened in their own words.
• When you are asked for information, try to provide as many facts as you can. Cases are built on the 4 W's: who, what, when, and where. Don't try to guess if you don't know the answer to a question it is much better to say you don't know.
• On the other hand, your feelings are important. Feelings are valuable in giving investigators insight, so tell how you feel and why you feel that way. Although only facts are allowed in court, feelings can help give investigators ideas for how to proceed.
• Always be honest, even though the truth may not seem favorable to yourself or others. In the long run, you will be much better off.
• Try not to overreact. It is a difficult time and emotions are probably running high. Losing control can hurt the case and overshadow the needs of the innocent victim, your child.
• Love, support, and protect your child. If the alleged offender is a significant person to you, it can be very difficult to balance your feelings for him/her with the need to protect your child. Remember that your child needs you to make healthy, protective decisions.
• Cooperate. You will probably feel as if investigators are prying into your personal life, but this is necessary to the case and your child's welfare. The sooner the facts come out, the sooner the case can be resolved and you can return to a more normal life.
• You may feel that investigators do not care because they avoid showing emotions. In fact, investigators do care, and part of that caring involves remaining objective and calm in the face of extremely emotional situations.

The Clark County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) serves as the coordination point for all of the professionals working with you. If you are having a difficult time understanding what is happening, contact the CAC - our staff is here to assist in all of the stages of you and your child’s involvement.