Children’s Law Report2017-08-142017-08-142001Special Issue: Children's Advocacy Centers (2001). Children’s Law Report, 6(4), 1-8.http://dc.statelibrary.sc.gov/bitstream/handle/10827/14864/CLC_Childrens_Law_Report_2001-8.pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11212/3524Serious child abuse cases are often complicated by the simultaneous involvement of both the child protection and criminal justice systems, with separate investigations and court proceedings. A children's advocacy center provides an interface between these systems. A primary goal of the coordinated response is to reduce there-victimization of children by the system. Team members can exchange information and coordinate their functions while maintaining the mandates of their particular agencies or profession. For example, one professional may interview the child after collaborating with other team members, who observe the interview via a video monitor. Benefits of collaboration include reduction in the number of interviewers; achieving more comprehensive and accurate information for prosecution and child protection; and more effective treatment and follow-up. Essential components are a child-friendly facility for interviewing, professional interviewers, multidisciplinary investigation and case review, access to timely, specialized medical and mental health services, and follow-up services. (Author abstract)en-USchildren's advocacy centersmultidisciplinary teamhistoryArticle