Common FAQs
1. How can we get help from the Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center (PCAC)? Can parents call?
Though parents can call the PCAC if they have general questions, referrals can only come from DCBS social service workers and/or law enforcement officers. There must be a child sexual abuse allegation, past or present, or another event that qualifies for services. Physicians, such as pediatricians, must notify DCBS or law enforcement for a PCAC referral to be made.
2. Is support available any time, day or night?
Yes, though it is on a limited case by case basis. If a child discloses an incident that has occurred in the last 24 hours, the PCAC will respond to conduct a medical examination for evidence to be collected. If abuse is reported outside the 24-hour window, the child will be scheduled for services during regular business hours.
3. How is the PCAC different from a Rape Crisis Center? Don’t they also work with children?
There’s a lot that the Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center (PCAC) and Rape Crisis Centers have in common — we both provide support like counseling and advocacy for victims of sexual abuse. What makes PCAC different is that we focus specifically on children. We offer medical exams, child-friendly spaces for forensic interviews, specialized evaluations, and case management that’s tailored to investigating child sexual abuse. Our services are just for kids and teens aged 0 to 17.
4. Why would a child need a medical exam at PCAC. What’s the benefit?
At the PCAC, we work with a specially trained doctor who knows how to evaluate kids who may have experienced sexual abuse. This helps make sure your child gets the right care for any injuries or infections that may have occurred. We also use special equipment that can take detailed images and help spot injuries that might not be visible to the naked eye. The doctor is available to answer any medical questions you might have about your child’s case. We’ll share the exam results with you as soon as possible so that nothing slows down the investigation.
5. What if a child has already been seen by their doctor or at the ER for concerns about sexual abuse?
Sometimes, doctors or emergency rooms may refer children to the Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center (PCAC) for a follow-up exam or treatment plan after a concern of sexual abuse. Emergency rooms aren’t set up for long-term care or ongoing assessments, so they may turn to us for extra support. Some pediatricians may also feel more comfortable having our team take a second look when there are signs of possible abuse. Along with medical care, we can also connect children with mental health therapy and other helpful services. Whether it’s for immediate needs or ongoing support, PCAC is here to help children heal and move forward.
6. Does every child who may have been sexually abused need a medical exam? Won’t it be upsetting for them?
A child sexual abuse exam is about much more than just collecting evidence or making a diagnosis. Our priority is always your child’s health and safety. The exam helps us check for any medical concerns, possible long-term effects, and whether any treatment or medication is needed.
It’s also a chance to support and educate both you and your child. We know this can be an overwhelming time. Parents often have questions about things like their child’s virginity or whether others will be able to tell abuse occurred. Children may worry that they’re somehow “broken” or won’t be able to live a normal life.
Our physician is here to gently address those fears, answer your questions, and help you and your child feel as reassured and supported as possible. We take great care to make sure the exam is comfortable and that your child understands—at their level—what’s happening and why. And most importantly, the exam is not painful.
7. What if the abuse happened a long time ago? Does it still make sense to bring the child to the PCAC?
It’s important to know that many children don’t tell anyone about sexual abuse right away — sometimes not for weeks, months, or even years. There are many reasons for this. A child might feel it’s their fault, or they may care about and trust the person who hurt them. Some worry about money, protecting a sibling, or they may have been told to stay silent.
No matter the reason, once a child finds the courage to speak up and tells a trusted adult, they deserve care, support, and access to all the services the Children’s Advocacy Center offers.
As mentioned earlier, the medical exam isn’t just about checking for injuries — it helps reassure children that they are normal and not alone. Before the exam, we also provide a mental health screening to help determine the right level of counseling and support your child may need.
In some cases, we may see signs like old scars or healed injuries. But it’s also important to know that about 95% of children who’ve been sexually abused have no physical signs — their exams are completely normal. That doesn’t mean abuse didn’t happen. Physical evidence is not required to move forward with a case or to make sure your child gets the care and support they need.
8. Why is it helpful to have a child interviewed at the PCAC instead of somewhere else?
Interviews about abuse can be stressful for kids, especially when they’re done at school, in a police station, or at a social services office. Those places can feel intimidating, and children might worry that what they say isn’t private.
That’s why, at the Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center, we’ve created a safe, child-friendly space just for these conversations. Our private interview room is designed to help kids feel more comfortable and secure. It’s also equipped with audio and video recording, so law enforcement or social services can gather the information they need without having to put the child through multiple interviews.