Braveheart is a name that represents the courage it takes for children to tell, the bravery and dedication of our team, the innocence at heart of every child and the heart of the community to speak up in partnership with us.

Impact: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men are sexually abused before the age of 18. Children of every gender, age, race, ethnicity, background, socioeconomic status and family structure are at risk. No child is immune. On average we see around 170 children a year.

Without effective therapeutic intervention, any traumatized children will suffer ongoing or long term adverse social, emotional, and developmental outcomes that may impact them throughout their lifetimes.

Braveheart’s services, in cooperation with MDT members, makes the community a safer place by ultimately leading to the prosecution of offenders. Child abuse cases that are coordinated through us saves the community an average of $1,000.00 per case. In one year, on average, Braveheart CAC helps save the communities we serve $160,000.00.

History: From 1992 to 1997 five young children were brutally beaten to death by their mother’s abusive boyfriends in Henry County IL. In response to these murders, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) involving prosecutors, police, The Department of Children and Family Services and Braveheart was created to provide a coordinated response to child abuse allegations. Braveheart first opened its doors in Cambridge to serve Henry County in 1999. Braveheart expanded, partnering with Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties in 2002 and Bureau County in 2007.

Purpose: Protection of the child, justice, and healing. Braveheart is a child-focused model that coordinates the investigation and treatment services for children involved in allegations of sexual or serious physical abuse. Our offices serve as the heart of the MDT’s initial response to child abuse. Prior to Braveheart kids had to endure multiple interviews with many different people, often re-traumatizing the child they were seeking to assist. Braveheart ensures that the child only has to be interviewed one time, by one person, in a safe child friendly place. The Braveheart staff member who interviews the child is specially trained to conduct a neutral fact finding forensic interview.

After the initial interview, Braveheart continues to support the child and family as well as coordinate MDT efforts. Monthly case review meetings are held to discuss the progress, barriers and next step of each child’s case to ensure cases do not fall through the cracks. We help connect children and families to needed resources, pay for specialized therapy and medical services for kids, and offer community education presentations on child abuse and prevention. We provide all of our services free of charge to children and their families.