Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County

Our mission is to assess and support suspected victims of sexual assault and educate children and the community to prevent such assaults. Hearing the story. Healing the pain. Halting the Cycle. The seeds of the Childrens Advocacy Center were planted in 1991 when then-Chief of Grand Rapids Police Bill Hegarty saw a young girl out of the corner of his eye as he strode through the police department. She stood out because she wore a yellow dress. But it was the frightened, lonely look in her eyes that really made an impression on the Chief. That look haunted him when he discovered that the girl was there to be interviewed as part of an investigation into child sexual abuse. There had to be a better way to treat her and all the girls and boys that were being abused in Grand Rapids. So he went home that night and committed to paper his thoughts for a better way. He envisioned a place designed specifically for youngsters, where they would feel welcomed and valued. Where specially trained adults knew how to interview children and help them heal from abuse. He went on to gather a group of people who would work together over the next two years to make his vision a reality. Hear Chief Hegartys story here. The Childrens Advocacy Center opened its doors in 1993. Over the next 25 years, we served nearly 20,000 Kent County suspected victims of child sexual abuse.

The Childrens Advocacy Center brings together under one roof all the resources a sexually abused child might need, so they dont have to keep reliving the abuse Police detectives, Childrens Protective Service workers, medical personnel and counselors come together here to interview, assess and safeguard children who may have been sexually abused. Our services include forensic interviews, therapy, and family advocacy. All services are provided in a safe, sensitive, child-centered environment. They are free of charge to all children and non-offending family members throughout Kent County. Our Kids Have Rights program goes into Kent County Schools to equip K-4 students with age-appropriate tools for protecting themselves against sexual abuse and to encourage them to report current or past abuse. We also conduct sexual abuse prevention training and mandated reporter training to teach adults how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.