Trauma Treatment in Norwegian Child Advocacy Centers

Norwegian child and advocacy centers´ core activities include both forensic services (e.g., forensic interviews) and follow-up services (e.g., treatment), aiming to coordinate the different services involved in each case to prevent additional burdens for youth in already vulnerable situations. However, a recent study indicates that very few receive follow-up after the forensic interview and that the follow-up in most cases includes one-time or occasional support and only in rare cases treatment. In the same study, youth receiving follow-up in the CAC in Oslo revealed significantly higher levels of common mental health problems than a comparable community sample, yet lower than clinical samples, indicating that many youths in CACs may be falling between different services within the health care system, not necessarily receiving the help they need elsewhere. The current project will investigate four issues related to these knowledge needs; 1. How do children and parents experience receiving trauma treatment at child advocacy centers? 2. What predicts treatment effects? 3. What is the prevalence of symptoms of burnout and secondary traumatic stress among employees working in child advocacy centers, and can training in evidence-based treatment prevent burnout and secondary traumatic stress?