Catawba County News
Catawba County 101: Children's Advocacy and Protection Center
Published: May 05, 2025
MAKING. LIVING. BETTER: Children’s Advocacy & Protection Center (CAPC)
What is its mission/purpose?
Advocate for the protection of the children of Catawba County by working to: empower individuals through training and education, coordinate a comprehensive team response to abuse and neglect, and reduce victim trauma.
We are spotlighting the first pillar of our mission: empowering individuals through training and education to prevent child abuse and neglect in Catawba County.
The Prevention Council of the Children’s Advocacy & Protection Center (CAPC) leads this effort by providing evidence-based training in both the community and schools. The Council also organizes key education campaigns such as the ABCs of Safe Sleep, Gun Safety, Online Safety for Children, and Mandated Reporter Training.
In addition, CAPC offers two major prevention programs:
Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children: A 2.5-hour sexual abuse prevention training that educates adults on how to prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse. It uses real stories from survivors and emphasizes that keeping children safe is an adult’s responsibility.
Monique Burr Foundation programs: Evidence-based and informed educational resources designed to protect children and teens from bullying, abuse, and other forms of victimization.
These initiatives empower adults with the knowledge and tools needed to keep children safe.
How do you achieve your mission – what services are offered?
The Children’s Advocacy & Protection Center (CAPC) is a nationally accredited nonprofit serving children in Catawba County who are victims of sexual abuse and/or severe physical abuse, along with their non-offending caregivers.
We provide a child-friendly, safe, and neutral setting where:
Law enforcement and child protective services conduct forensic interviews.
Children receive medical care, mental health services, and crisis support.
Families receive one-on-one advocacy and access to support groups.
Our services are built around a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach that includes law enforcement, DSS, prosecutors, mental health professionals, medical personnel, and victim advocates. This team meets regularly to ensure a coordinated, trauma-informed response that reduces the number of interviews a child must go through and enhances outcomes for families.
Who does this department serve?
We serve children and their families in Catawba County when there are reports of child sexual or physical abuse. Children typically come to us through referrals from Social Services or Law Enforcement following an allegation or disclosure of abuse.
How and where are services delivered?
Services are provided at our main location:
4360 County Home Road, Conover, NC
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (On-call staff are available after hours for urgent needs.)
Examples of services provided include:
Forensic Interviews: Conducted in a developmentally appropriate and legally sound way by trained professionals to gather information from children about alleged abuse.
Medical Exams: Conducted on-site by a pediatric nurse practitioner to ensure children’s health and well-being.
Victim Advocacy: Personalized support throughout the investigative and legal process, including emotional support and help with counseling referrals.
On-Site Mental Health Services: Focused on trauma education, coping strategies, processing the traumatic event, and building resilience.
Parent Support Group (HOPE Class): Offers education on recognizing abuse, protecting children, and emotional support through shared experiences.
Camps: Camp Dragonfly for girls and Camp Phoenix for boys (ages 12–17) provide safe, supportive environments for youth survivors to begin healing.
How many staff members are involved in delivering services?
The CAPC team includes 8 dedicated staff members:
How does our community and/or organization benefit from these services?
When a child discloses abuse, the entire family enters a crisis. Without CAPC’s immediate, coordinated response, many children and families would face this trauma alone.
CAPC ensures:
Faster, more coordinated investigations.
Increased access to medical and mental health services.
Higher satisfaction for caregivers navigating the investigation process.
Research shows that communities with Child Advocacy Centers like CAPC experience significantly better outcomes:
More law enforcement involvement
Nearly double the rate of forensic medical exams (48% vs. 21%)
More mental health referrals (72% vs. 31%)
But beyond statistics, the real impact is deeply personal. As one attendee said at a CAPC event:
An individual shared his experience of abuse and expressed regret that CAPC hadn’t been available during his childhood. These stories reflect the heart of our work—supporting families, preventing further harm, and helping survivors heal.
The CAPC provides essential, trauma-informed services to children and non-offending caregivers in crisis. We also actively strengthen Catawba County’s community through education, advocacy, and prevention—empowering individuals, creating safer environments for children, and fostering a more resilient, informed community.