Elizabeth Shackelford

The Children's Safety Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting child abuse victims through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach based on the children’s advocacy center (CAC) model. The non-profit company is based in Springdale, AR. The center provides a safe, child-friendly environment for forensic interviews, medical evaluations, therapy, and victim advocacy, aiming to minimize trauma and promote healing. Services include trauma-informed forensic interviews, specialized medical exams by sexual assault nurse examiners, and free evidence-based therapies such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and parent-child interaction therapy. The center emphasizes collaboration among law enforcement, child protective services, medical and mental health professionals, prosecutors, and volunteers to ensure coordinated communication, improve prosecution outcomes, and enhance community awareness. Prevention is a key focus, with free training programs for parents, caregivers, and professionals that cover recognizing and reporting abuse, body safety education, and internet safety. The organization also offers accessible resources, including hotline numbers, downloadable child safety materials, and support for mandated reporters.