Q. What is the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse (NCPCA)?
A. In 1985, the National District Attorneys Association established the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse as a program of the American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI). Aimed at responding to an increasing volume of reported child abuse, the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse provides training, technical assistance and publications to prosecutors, investigators and allied criminal justice professionals on all aspects of criminal child abuse and exploitation. For more information about what NCPCA can do for you click here.
Q. For what kinds of cases does NCPCA provide assistance?
A. NCPCA assists on all cases involving criminal child abuse. Criminal child abuse can involve physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect and child sexual exploitation. Our sister center, the National Child Protection Training Center assists on civil child protection cases. NCPTC can be contacted by phone at 507-457-2890 or on the web at
http://www.ndaa.org/apri/programs/ncptc/ncptc_home.html.
Q. What kinds of requests does NCPCA receive?
A. NCPCA averages about 200 requests for technical assistance a month. An average caller may be a state or local prosecutor requesting information on a medical, scientific, or psychological topic. Or, a prosecutor may want to speak to an experienced child abuse prosecutor about strategies for trying a child fatality case. Another common request is for information or transcripts about a particular defense expert. A professional association may also contact our office if they need a lecturer for a child abuse training.
Q. What topics are included in NCPCA’s information clearinghouse?
A. NCPCA has a comprehensive library of scholarly articles and studies, practical aids, and media items on over 200 medical, psychological, investigative and legal topics, including: child sexual exploitation, battered child syndrome, head injuries, sample protocols, child sexual abuse accommodation syndrome, children in court, anticipated defenses, and many others. NCPCA also has files of sample motions and other practice materials that were developed by prosecutors in the field. Additionally, the Center has a large collection of materials on specific experts who testify in the area of child abuse. NCPCA also keeps a list of medical and law enforcement experts who may be available to consult on cases. NCPCA can provide assistance on all aspects of a child abuse case.
Q. What kinds of materials does NCPCA publish and how can I receive them?
A. NCPCA publishes two regular newsletters, Update, and CSE Update (computer facilitated crimes against children) that can be accessed from this Web site or in the mail. If you are a prosecutor and would like to receive our newsletter, e-mail NCPCA or you can call 703-549-4253.
On the NCPCA Web site you can also find a link to Update Express, an on-line publication that helps child abuse professionals keep abreast of new legislation, case law, and relevant news. Occasionally, NCPCA also publishes monographs on relevant topics in child abuse. Currently you can download a copy of Finding Words: Half a Nation by 2010 - Interviewing Children and Preparing for Court from the publications page of our Web site.
NCPCA also publishes the leading comprehensive manual for child abuse professionals. To order a copy of our third edition of Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse, contact Sage Publications at
http://www.sagepub.com/book.aspx?pid=9954
Q. How is NCPCA funded?
A. NCPCA is a grant-funded non-profit organization. NCPCA operates on grants from the U.S. Department of Justice. We are also funded, in part, by private donations from organizations and individuals from across the country interested in joining the fight against child abuse.
http://www.ndaa.org/apri/programs/ncpca/donate.html
Q. What are the signs that a child is being abused?
A. http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.pdf
Q. What can I do to help end child abuse?
A. You can donate to NCPCA by clicking the donate link on the NCPCA Web site. You can also read the following article outlining practical steps to end child abuse in three generations and disseminate it in your community.
Link to article.
