The One Place Child Advocacy Center: What is Justice?
Justice and Healing at One Place Child Advocacy Center
Justice is a complex concept, often defined in terms of legal outcomes and courtroom victories. However, at the One Place Child Advocacy Center (CAC), justice takes on a broader and more compassionate meaning. The CAC is not just a facility; it is a sanctuary where children who have experienced the unimaginable can begin their journey toward healing. Here, justice is not solely about convictions—it is about restoring hope and ensuring safety.
What is the One Place Child Advocacy Center?
The One Place Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a beacon of support for children from birth to age 17 who have suffered from physical abuse, sexual abuse, serious neglect, or violence. It provides a child-friendly environment where young victims can begin their path to recovery through forensic interviews, medical exams, and mental health services. Typically, cases reach the CAC through referrals from law enforcement or the Department of Social Services (DSS). However, the role of the CAC extends beyond immediate crisis intervention. It continues to support families through ongoing activities and, when necessary, provides testimony to aid in the prosecution of offenders. A child advocacy center does not prosecute cases but instead facilitates the coordination of a multidisciplinary team. This team, which includes law enforcement, social services, medical professionals, and others, is responsible for responding to and investigating the cases. This holistic approach ensures that children and their families receive the care and advocacy they need throughout the entire process.
Defining Justice at the CAC
Justice, in the context of the CAC, is multifaceted. While only about 25% of the cases handled by the CAC make it to trial, the absence of a courtroom verdict does not diminish the pursuit of justice. At the CAC, justice is redefined to encompass every step taken to protect and heal the child.
“Justice looks different to every child that we serve,” said Sara Parrish, Clinical Services Director at One Place CAC. “For some, it means their abuser is sent to jail. For others, justice is simply that the abuse stops. For some children, justice is finding a safe space to tell their story, while for others, it is the opportunity to receive mental health services.”
Parrish recalls a poignant moment during a forensic interview with a young girl. When discussing the potential outcomes after the interview, the child expressed, “I don’t want him to go to jail; I just want it to stop.” This highlights the individualized nature of justice at the CAC—it is about meeting each child’s needs and helping them reclaim their sense of safety and well-being.
Legal Justice
Justice is crucial because it often marks the beginning of healing for both children and their families. Parrish shares, “Justice matters because when children can go to court and face their offender, it is a very empowering experience. It allows them the opportunity to share their story, it shows them that their community believes and supports them, and it holds the offender accountable.”
Noemi Rivera, CAC Director, adds, “Justice matters because it means that this offender can no longer hurt children, it can inspire other children to tell their stories, and it sends a message that this is how we respond to abuse in Onslow County.”
An Alternative Story of Justice
Justice at the CAC is not always about legal outcomes; sometimes, it is about meeting the immediate and urgent needs of those in crisis. Rivera shares an alternative justice story that illustrates this point.
“I remember a time almost five years ago when I was still an advocate. A family came to us with allegations of abuse. The mother arrived with her three children, all dressed in clean, buttoned-up shirts. They looked like a typical family, but during my needs assessment with the mother, I learned they had slept on the stairs of the Plaza Manor apartments the night before—they were homeless,” Rivera said.
“After their appointment, we immediately helped them find a place to stay, connected them with food and clothing resources, and ensured they had what they needed for the days to come. In that moment, and on that day, that was their justice. They needed a place to connect and receive the immediate help they required.”
At the One Place Child Advocacy Center, justice is not a one-size-fits-all outcome. It is a deeply personal journey that looks different for every child and family served. Whether through the conviction of an abuser, the provision of a safe space, or the meeting of basic needs, the CAC is committed to ensuring that justice—however it may be defined—is served. In doing so, the CAC plays a vital role in helping children and families begin their path to healing.
Click here to learn more about the One Place Child Advocacy Center.