IntroductionChild abuse is widespread. A considerable proportion of young adults reported being abused, neglected, or abused as children. One in five people reported being left alone at a time when a parent should have been watching them on three or more occasions. About fourteen percent reported being physically assaulted (slapped, kicked, or punched) three or more times. One in 20 people reported being deprived of their basic needs (food, clothing or cleaning) three or more times. About 1 in 25 people (4.5%) report being sexually assaulted by a parent or guardian three or more times before entering sixth grade (Hussey, Chang, & Kotch, 2006). The Child Protective Services (CPS) system is responsible for protecting victims of child abuse and neglect. However, when an act of child abuse is likely to constitute a criminal act, law enforcement will also investigate. In approximately 49% of serious physical abuse cases and nearly 75% of child sexual abuse cases, CPS and law enforcement conduct investigations (Cross, Finkelhor, & Ormond, 2005). Historically, the conflict of philosophies in which the CPS views the police as a stubborn, law enforcement-oriented institution, indifferent to the needs of families; and the police consider the CPS as “bleeding hearts” who do not see the evil in the perpetrators and whose interference can compromise criminal proceedings; has resulted in limitations that some argue have harmed the children they aim to protect (Cross, Finkelhor, & Ormond, 2005) (Smith, Witte, & Fricker-Elhai, 2006). However, the CPS system has been criticized for limitations that are believed to cause more harm to children......middle of document......maltreatment, 100-113.National Children's Alliance. (October 30, 2011). Media Room: National Children's Alliance. Retrieved from National Children's Alliance: http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/mediaroomReardon, C. (2009, March/April). Child advocates reduce the trauma of abuse. Social work today, pp. 1-2. Smith, DW, Witte, TH and Fricker-Elhai, AE (2006). Service outcomes in physical and sexual abuse cases: A comparison of standard and child advocacy center-based services. Child Abuse, 354-360. Walsh, W.A., Simone, M. and Jones, L. (2003). Child abuse prosecutions: A meta-analysis of criminal justice disposition rates. Trauma, violence and abuse, 323-340. Wolfteich, P. and Loggins, B. (2007). Evaluation of the Child Advocacy Center Model: Effectiveness, Legal, and Revictimization Outcomes. Journal of Social Work for Children and Adolescents, 333-352.