About DCAC

Denver Children's Advocacy Center (DCAC) serves children who have been sexually abused, neglected, or traumatized by witnessing violence. DCAC is one of 14 child advocacy centers in Colorado providing friendly, family-supportive services in one central location or close by.

Our mission is to: PREVENT ABUSE-STRENGTHEN FAMILIES and RESTORE CHILDHOOD.

Our goal is to ensure that every child in Denver and neighboring counties who has been traumatized by sexual abuse, or by witnessing homicide or domestic violence receives immediate, compassionate and effective investigation, assessment and, if needed, mental health treatment. DCAC never charges for its services and we never place time limits on healing.

DCAC is unique in that it provides:

• Bilingual, bicultural services in English and Spanish
• Services for traumatized children and their non-offending family members at no cost
• Assessment and treatment services for children ages 1 through 17
• Specialized assessment and treatment services for very young children ages 1 to 6
• Child-friendly forensic interviews and evaluations
• Extended treatment hours on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m
• Ongoing affordable training(s) for parents and professionals
• Prevention programs and support services for at-risk children and families

Child Abuse and Neglect in Denver

Each year in Colorado, more than 9,000 children are confirmed victims of abuse and neglect.

In Denver, over 1,300 children are confirmed victims of incest and another 500 are sexually assaulted by non-family members. In the majority of sexual abuse cases children know the person abusing them - it's generally a family member or a trusted neighbor - and the crime can be hidden for years.

More than 1,000 children live in homes where domestic violence is a way of life.

One out of four girls and one out of six boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.

Sexual abuse and domestic violence know no social or economic boundaries. It happens in wealthy families and in poor families. The difference is that the children and families who come to DCAC have nowhere else to turn and no money to pay for treatment.

Half of the children we serve at DCAC are six years old or younger. Many of these children cannot talk at all, but they do respond to non-verbal therapeutic interventions and the involvement of family members.

It is very, very expensive to treat these children but even more expensive not to. Without treatment, abused and traumatized children...

• suffer from severe anger and depression
• have difficulty forming healthy friendships
• are at increased risk for dropping out of school
• can become addicted to drugs and alcohol
• often turn to crime: 70 percent of young people in juvenile court have a history of abuse or neglect.
• Frequently become violent and abusive themselves: being abused as a child increases the likelihood of arrest as an adult for a violent crime by 30 percent.

These children deserve a chance to reclaim their childhood. Every day at DCAC, we see young children who have suffered terrible harm learn to laugh and play again.

How You Can Help

Give Financially

DCAC relies on grants and donations in order to provide no-cost assessment and treatment services to children in need. We need your help. Make your donation today.

Give Your Stuff

Be Green! Donate gently used or new items to our Advocacy Center Foundation.  Click here to view the locations of our drop boxes by location number.

Click here to view the locations of our drop boxes by city.

Give Your Time

Volunteers are crucial to the Center's ongoing growth and success in providing assistance to at risk children and families. View our current volunteering opportunities.