We’re on a mission to fully fund Virginia Children’s Advocacy Centers.
This short video shows what CACs do
There is a serious gap in how Virginia addresses child sexual abuse.
When a child is raped or abused, they must undergo what’s called a forensic interview at a Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC). These interviews are often the only form of evidence available to prosecute offenders and protect victims.
Forensic evidence such as fingerprints, DNA, and bullet fragments are fully funded by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Yet, forensic interviews—arguably the most critical form of evidence in child abuse cases—receive only about 30% of their funding from the state.
As a result, CAC staff—after spending their days listening to devastating, heartbreaking accounts from children—are forced to spend their evenings and weekends fundraising just to keep their doors open.
To make matters worse, roughly 20% of Virginia’s population has no access to a CAC at all. These children are left without the vital services they deserve.
It is time for the Commonwealth to fully fund these centers and support the professionals who conduct forensic interviews at the request of government agencies.
When a child is sexually abused, their words become the evidence.
When a child is sexually abused, their words become the evidence.
Forensic interviews are not a privilege. They are a right.
Forensic interviews are not a privilege. They are a right.
Virginia CACs conduct over 6,000 forensic interviews per year
Virginia CACs conduct over 6,000 forensic interviews per year
The solution
We are asking the Virginia General Assembly to include in their biannual budget, which they will be adopting January 2026, to include:
Increase the funding from $7 million to $20 Million & pay for it by increasing the liquid vape tax from .11 to .30 per mL.
(Section 58.1-1021.02)
If someone shoots a kid in Virginia, the state will pay for the investigation. But when someone rapes a kid, the state only covers 30%. The CAC has to do bake sales to cover the remaining 70%.
How you can help
Delegates & Senators
We need Virginia delegates and senators to join in the cause. Show your delegate this page, ask them to submit a budget amendment calling for $20M in funding for CACs and pay for it with a vape tax increase to .30 per mL.
Governor
We need Gov Youngkin to add this to his transitional budget. If you are in the administration or they return your calls, tell them to add the $20M to the budget and include the revenue from the vape tax increase.
Media, Bloggers and Podcasts
Help us spread the word. Brett is available for any podcast any time. Interviews of all types are welcome. Go to your local CAC and interview them.