Forensic Services
The Center for Child Protection is the ONLY nonprofit in Travis County involved in the investigation of crimes against children.
Together with law enforcement, Child Protective Services (CPS), medical professionals and prosecution, the Center works to ensure that a child’s best interest is at the core of the investigative process.
Forensic Interview
A forensic interview is a child’s recorded statement taken by an unbiased professional specially trained to speak with children at various age levels.
Before the Center for Child Protection existed, children in Travis County had to tell what happened to them over and over again often as many as 15 times. Because the professionals did not collaborate, case information was lost and children fell through the cracks unprotected. This not only hurt the case, but it forced the child to relive their trauma each time.
But now, children and teens are interviewed in a safe, non-threatening environment and their statements are digitally recorded. Children are informed that they are being recorded. Law enforcement officers and CPS caseworkers observe the interview through a one-way mirror.
Case Monitoring
The Center monitors a child’s case from the initial interview through the legal process. Every month, CPS investigators, law enforcement, prosecutors, and medical personnel meet to review active cases and make joint recommendations on how to proceed. This ensures that all of the agencies are sharing information about a child’s case.
Court Orientation
The Center conducts a Court Orientation Program once a month for children and their families who will testify in court. This two-hour evening program introduces children to a courtroom at the Travis County Courthouse and the roles of the possible participants in a court proceeding. Children have the opportunity to role play and learn how to take care of their needs while they are on the witness stand.
