Family Advocacy Center

The Scottsdale Family Advocacy Center was designed to greatly increase the effectiveness and efficiency of Crimes Against Persons investigations while reducing the stress and trauma to the victim. This is done by co-locating multiple disciplines involved in the investigation and care of the victim in one building that is intelligently designed to address the special needs of these types of crimes.

The Scottsdale Family Advocacy Center has been operating since November of 2002 and has been successfully improving the effectiveness and efficiency of its objectives in as much as other cities have used Scottsdale’s center as a blueprint for their own advocacy centers. Each discipline represented in the center is an integral part of the process and provides excellent customer service.

Currently, the Scottsdale Family Advocacy Center provides office space to Forensic Nurse Examiners from Scottsdale Healthcare, Investigators from the Department of Child Safety, personnel from the Police Crisis Intervention Section, and investigative units from the Crimes Against Persons Section.

Department of Child Safety

What they provide – Department of Child Safety (DCS) staff work with Scottsdale Police Investigators and Scottsdale Police Crisis Intervention Specialists to evaluate cases involving the abuse of children. DCS workers monitor the interviews with the victims, interview the parents/suspects, and make decisions concerning temporary custody. DCS staff also work with the courts and issue temporary custody orders when appropriate. DCS involvement is required in certain cases and their presence at the center facilitates effective communication between Scottsdale Police Investigators and increases the integrity of the investigation, as DCS can now be involved in cases from the beginning.

City of Scottsdale Prosecutors

What they provide – They work with Investigators to staff cases involving misdemeanors. They also attend semi-monthly Domestic Violence Action Team meetings. Their presence improves communication between the Police Department and the City Prosecutor’s Office.

Police Crisis Intervention Specialists

What they provide – There are three Police Crisis Intervention Specialists (PCIS) staffed at the advocacy center on a full-time basis. They provide valuable support to the victims of violent crimes. They work closely with Investigators, nurses, DCS, and the victims to provide critical support. Their responsibilities include victim advocacy and crisis intervention, transportation, resource guidance and referral. They are involved with many investigations from the beginning and also handle follow up on cases involving special victims and people in need of mental health services.

Crimes Against Persons Section

What they provide - Police investigative services in the areas of homicide, robbery, assaults, sex crimes, domestic violence, missing persons, and Internet Crimes Against Children.

Other Resources Provided at the Scottsdale Family Advocacy Center

  • Children’s Play Room
  • Three Quiet Rooms (comfortable area for victims)
  • Lobby with Two Restrooms and Reception
  • Resource Room for Investigators (computer access to various databases)
  • Evidence Processing Room with Forensic Drying Cabinet
  • Two Interview Rooms
  • Kitchen
  • Conference Room
  • Training Room
  • Video Processing Area for Detectives
  • Forensic Artist Office
  • Case Storage Room

The Scottsdale Family Advocacy Center (FAC) serves Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Tempe, and county jurisdictions in the northeast Valley.

Domestic Violence Resources

Scottsdale Police Department
National Domestic Violence Hotline
A New Leaf
Family Lawyer's Assistance Project

Helpful FACTS concerning Sex-Related Crimes and Child Abuse:

Sexual assault affects 1 out of 6 American women. That means 17.7 million American women have been victims of attempted or completed sexual assault. Although women are the main victims of this crime, about 3% of American men have experienced an attempted or completed sexual assault. That’s 2.78 million men who have been victims of sexual assault or rape (Based on crimes reported.)

It is estimated that nearly 60% of rapes/sexual assaults are not reported to the police.

Two out of every three rapes were committed by someone known to the victim. 50% of the rape/sexual assault incidents were reported to have occurred within one mile of the victim’s home or at their home. 43% were reported to have occurred between 6:00 p.m. and midnight.

What you should know:

  • Men and women can be victims of rape
  • Alcohol affects your judgment
  • Silence does not equal yes
  • Passed out does not equal yes
  • If convicted of sexual assault, you could face a minimum of 7 years in prison, lifetime probation & register as a sex offender
  • Scottsdale Police Department aggressively investigates all reports of sexual violence

What should you do?

  • Watch your drink
  • Watch how much you drink
  • Watch out for your friends – SPEAK UP
  • Demand respect for yourself and others
  • Report all sexual violence to the police

Above all: Act responsibly & treat others respectfully

Children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of child abuse and neglect. Over 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States; however, those reports can include multiple children. In 2007, approximately 5.8 million children were involved in an estimated 3.2 million child abuse reports and allegations.

  • A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.
  • Almost five children die every day as a result of child abuse. More than three out of four are under the age of 4.
  • It is estimated that between 60-85% of child fatalities due to maltreatment are not recorded as such on death certificates.
  • 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68% are abused by family members.
  • Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.

Police Crisis Intervention Specialists and Investigators from the Special Victims and Domestic Violence Units always welcome questions and can be reached at 480-312-6300.

Contact Information

City of Scottsdale - Family Advocacy Center
Tracey Wilkinson
P: 480-312-6300
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.