Attorney's Family Advocacy Centers

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

The Navajo County Attorney’s office Family Advocacy Centers is a non-profit organization that works specifically off of donations and fundraisers. They were established and designed to create a multidisciplinary and neutral approach to Child abuse cases and sexual assaults. Our center is the first place victims of Sexual assaults, child molestations, or child abuse come to after reporting to law enforcement or Child Protective Services. Our centers offer a homelike setting where victims are encouraged to feel safe and comfortable. The centers aim to ensure victims are treated with respect and dignity throughout the investigation process. One of the FAC’s goals is to minimize trauma and re-victimization by limiting the victim to only have to tell their story ONE time and if needed to only have ONE medical Examination. Our centers provide an on-site forensic Interview room that is set up with cameras so that the only people needed in the room during an interview is the interviewer and the victim to ensure additional comfort. While the interview is taking place there is a viewing room specially designed for the remaining part of our Multidisciplinary team to view the interview. Other members of this team include Law Enforcement, Child Protective Services, Prosecutors, or Medical Staff. The Family Advocacy center currently employs only 2 full time paid staff, Aaron Ulibarri the FAC director and Michelle Adams the Forensic Interviewer.