Children's Court Services

Standing up for Children Since 1984.

During the program’s first year, 80 children were referred to what was then the only child witness/victim’s court assistance program in the state of Texas, known then as The Youth Victim/Witness Program. In 2010, CCS advocated for 726 children and 2,083 parents/caregivers.

Who We Serve:

Approximately 75% of the children served by Children’s Court Services are victims of sex crimes (aggravated sexual assault of a child, indecency with a child, and sexual performance by a child). Fifteen percent (15%) are victims of kidnapping, injury to a child, child endangerment and/or abandonment. The remaining 10% are witnesses to crimes, which are primarily cases of domestic violence, abuse of a sibling or homicide. 

Impact on Children Receiving Our Services:

• Criminal prosecution itself is an important element in reducing trauma to children. Successful intervention by society vindicates children who have been abused and plays a role in children’s healing.“System Intervention: Trauma to Child Sexual Abuse Victims Following Disclosure”, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 1997.
• Children who developed a trusting relationship with at least one system professional experienced less trauma than those who did not develop a trusting relationship.
• Children experienced less stress when prepared for all possible outcomes and implications of the adjudication than children who were shocked and bewildered by the unforeseen turn of events.
• A trusting relationship may serve to mitigate the impact of previous betrayal and offer sexually abused children new opportunities to feel safe and secure; the necessary building blocks for psychological and emotional recovery.