A national survey of child advocacy center directors regarding knowledge of assessment, treatment referral, and training needs in physical and sexual abuse.
Mental health services are a core component of child advocacy centers in the United States. Child advocacy center directors were surveyed about (a) trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder; (b) referral criteria for treatment of abuse victims; (c) evidence-based treatments for abused children; (d) reliable, valid, and normed measures helpful in assessment; and (e) training needs. Directors accurately identified posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, but additional symptoms were misidentified. Directors identified best practices for assessment and treatment, but they misidentified non-evidence-based practices. Primary reasons for referral for services included severity of abuse and emotional response of the child. However, referrals based on assessment findings were not a high priority. Directors expressed some training needs for staff consistent with issues identified in the study.
a Dallas Children's Advocacy Center , Dallas , Texas , USA.
Jeffrey N
JN
Wherry
Cassandra C
CC
Huey
Elizabeth A
EA
Medford
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002651:Child Advocacy / Q000592:standards*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis; D014481:United States
PTSD; child abuse; child advocacy center; mental health services