Child Advocacy Center - The Listening Place

The Child Advocacy Center, also known as "The Listening Place" is a child friendly building which houses police detectives, child protective service workers, a victim advocate and a pediatrician. It is a place where children who are victims of child abuse and neglect can be interviewed and examined. The Department of Social Services, the Howard County Police Department, the State’s Attorney’s Office, the Health Department and the Department of Citizen Services banded together to make it easier for victims of child abuse; the Child Advocacy Center was opened as a place where children can be jointly interviewed by the police and child protective service workers. The State’s Attorney’s Office is an active participant in the Child Advocacy Center. Each week, several Assistant State’s Attorneys attend the staffing meeting to review the recent reports of child abuse and neglect. The attorneys also provide ongoing advice and assistance to the members of the Child Advocacy Center throughout the investigatory stage. When an investigation is complete, the attorneys review cases for criminal prosecution. Attorneys also provide training on legal issues and investigative techniques to members of the Child Advocacy Center.