Advocacy Services

Children’s Advocacy Centers
Vermont currently has 9 Children’s Advocacy Centers that coordinate multi-agency responses to reports of child sexual abuse, as well as a Statewide Chapter that serves as the leading resource for the centers.

• Statewide Chapter: Vermont Children’s Alliance, 1-855-244-5388, www.vtchildrensalliance.org

• Bennington County: Bennington County Child Advocacy Center, (802) 442-5107

• Chittenden County: Children’s Advocacy Center at CUSI, (802) 652-0391, www.chittendencac.org

• Franklin & Grand Isle Counties: Northwest Unit for Special Investigations, (802) 524-7961

• Orange County: Orange County Child Advocacy Center, (802) 685-4712

• Orleans, Caledonia, and Northern Essex Counties: Orleans County Child Advocacy Center, (802) 334-2037

• Rutland County: Child First Advocacy Center, (802) 747-0200, www.childfirstvermont.org

• Washington County: OUR House of Central Vermont, (802) 476-8825, www.ourhousevt.org

• Windham County: Windham County Safe Place Child Advocacy Center, (802) 579-1358, www.safeplacecac.net

• Windsor County:

  • Child Advocacy Center at The Family Place, 1-800-639-0039 or (802) 649-3268

  • Child Advocacy Center at the Springfield Area Parent Child Center, (802) 886-5242

Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services

1-800-750-1213, www.ccvs.state.vt.us
Provides information for victims of crime in Vermont, including the Vermont Victim Services Resource Directory; supports and guides victims through the criminal justice system; and provides limited financial assistance to victims of violent crime.

Helplines

• Prevent Child Abuse Vermont - Parent’s Stress Line
  Call 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373), during business hours, for information, education, and referral.
   
• Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
  Call 1-800-489-7273 to connect to the nearest sexual violence service agency (24/7) for information, crisis support and referrals or go to www.vtnetwork.org.

Hotlines

• Vermont’s 24-hour Child Protection Hotline
   Call 1-800-649-5285 to report suspected child sexual abuse.

Mental Health Services

• Community Mental Health Centers
  Each area of Vermont is served by a community mental health agency that provides services to children and families (e.g., crisis response, treatment, support, and referral). For a list of centers, call (802) 241-2601 or go to http://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/DAlist.

• Guide to Mutual Aid Resources
  An online, one-stop resource for people looking for help with addiction and recovery, published by Faces & Voices of Recovery.
   
• Substance Abuse Treatment Providers
  For a directory of treatment providers, (802) 651-1550 or go to http://healthvermont.gov.

Support / Services

• Vermont 2-1-1
  Dial 2-1-1 for help connecting to government programs, community-based organizations, and support groups—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's a local call from anywhere in Vermont.
   
• Stop It Now's Online Help Center
  Confidential, online access to information about keeping children safe and getting help for everyone. Parents, survivors, family & friends, professionals, and people worried about their own thoughts or behaviors can use this interactive tool for guidance.
   
• Vermont Victim Services Resource Directory
  A tool to help victims of crime find appropriate resources, published by the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services.  

Note:

There are many resources available about healthy sexual development, child sexual abuse, and related topics. It can be difficult to sort through all the information you may find. You may encounter conflicting opinions, especially on the issue of talking to your kids about sexual abuse (e.g., if and when you should raise the topic and what you should tell your children). Don’t let this stop you. You don't have to figure it out on your own. You can work with partners, such as schools, child care providers, pediatricians, and community organizations with expertise on child sexual abuse.