At The Cottage, we believe children and teens deserve safety, understanding, and compassionate support—and caregivers deserve clear information and trusted guidance. When there are concerns about a child’s wellbeing, whether something happened recently, long ago, or was witnessed by someone you love, you are not alone. We are here to walk alongside children and families, coordinate care, and help you navigate next steps with respect, care, and hope for healing.
Child abuse is any action—or lack of action—that harms a child’s safety, wellbeing, or development. It can include sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, exploitation, or witnessing violence in the home or community. Child abuse can occur within families, by caregivers or trusted adults, or by others known to the child.
Abuse can happen at any age, in any household, and across all communities—and it is never the child’s fault.
Some people use the word victim; others prefer survivor. At The Cottage, we center the needs, safety, and resilience of children and youth while supporting the families who care for them. You choose the language that feels right for you and your child.
A Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is a place where children, teens, and families impacted by abuse can receive free, coordinated, and child‑centered support.
The Cottage’s CAC brings together specially trained professionals to help children feel safe and supported while ensuring their needs are met. We work collaboratively with law enforcement, the Department of Family and Children Services, medical providers, and therapists to guide families through next steps with clarity and care.
Our CAC works with partner agencies to put the child/teen’s wellbeing first. This child‑centered approach helps reduce stress by allowing a child to share their experience just once, in a safe and supportive setting, with a specially trained forensic interviewer who knows how to speak with children about abuse.
The Cottage serves children and teens (17 years old and younger) who are impacted by abuse, and we serve their non-offending family members, as well. Our services support:
All CAC services are provided free of charge to children, teens, and their families.
We welcome and support all those impacted by child abuse, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, citizenship, language, or background.
Child abuse affects youth of all ages, genders, and communities. The Cottage is committed to providing care that is safe, respectful, and developmentally appropriate, meeting each child and teen where they are, honoring their unique needs and experiences.
When a child is harmed, it impacts the whole family. We support caregivers by offering information, advocacy, and guidance throughout the process—helping families understand next steps, access resources, and care for their child and themselves.
The Cottage strives to provide accessible and affirming services for children with disabilities, children who are non‑verbal, bilingual families, and those with diverse cultural or linguistic needs. Our team works to reduce barriers and ensure every child feels safe, supported, and believed.
Advocacy means walking alongside children, teens, and families, offering support without judgment and guidance without pressure. Our advocates help families understand what to expect, access resources, and navigate next steps with care and clarity.
At The Cottage, advocacy is tailored to meet the needs of both youth and caregivers:
Child/Teen advocates focus on the child’s comfort and wellbeing. They help children understand what will happen, answer questions in age‑appropriate ways, and offer calming, supportive presence before and after the interview.
Family advocates support caregivers before, during, and after the forensic interview. They help answer questions, explain the process, provide emotional support, and remain a point of connection for follow‑up care and resources.
Our goal is to help our youth feel safe and families feel informed—so no one has to navigate this process alone.
Mandated reporting is a legal requirement in Georgia for certain professionals to report suspected child abuse or neglect. This law helps protect children by ensuring concerns are shared with the appropriate child protection authorities as early as possible.
All staff members at The Cottage are mandated reporters. This means that if a team member becomes aware of suspected child abuse or neglect in the course of their work, they are required by law to make a report. We understand that this can feel concerning, and we are always open to explaining this responsibility with care, clarity, and respect.
If a report is made, the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) or law enforcement will review the information and decide what steps are needed to help ensure the child’s safety. Reporting is not an accusation or an investigation—it is a request for help. Georgia law protects people who make reports in good faith, recognizing reporting as an important part of supporting children and families.
If you have questions or concerns about mandated reporting, The Cottage is here to provide information, support, and guidance.
Call: 1-877-363-1912
Our hotline is available 24/7, 365 days a year. You do not have to be in an immediate crisis. The hotline is free and usually the first point of contact for anyone seeking support, information, or guidance. Language translation services are also available to eliminate any barriers.
Please note that hotline advocates are mandated reporters as described above.
A forensic interview is a gentle, age-appropriate conversation that gives children and teens who have experienced abuse a safe and supportive space to share what they have experienced. Interviews are conducted by highly trained forensic interviewers who use developmentally appropriate, trauma‑informed approaches and move at the child’s pace.
Our forensic interviewers are trained in nationally recognized methods, including ChildFirst, CornerHouse, and NCAC (National Children’s Advocacy Center) models—ensuring interviews meet best‑practice standards and are conducted with care, skill, and integrity.
Forensic interviews take place at the Family Protection Center near The Cottage and are conducted at the request of law enforcement or the Department of Family and Children Services. This coordinated, child‑ and youth-focused approach is designed to reduce stress, prevent repeated questioning, and help children and teens feel as safe and supported as possible.
Our team also has specialized training to support non‑verbal children and children with disabilities, ensuring every child has a way to be heard.
Healing looks different for every child, and therapy can be an important part of that process. The Cottage provides free therapy services for children and teens who have experienced abuse and can also help families connect to trusted counseling referrals when additional support is needed.
Our therapy approach is trauma‑informed, evidence‑based, and centered on helping children feel safe, supported, and understood. We primarily use Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF‑CBT), a nationally recognized treatment model designed to help children and adolescents recover from trauma. TF‑CBT is a structured approach that typically takes place over 8 to 25 sessions and involves both the child and caregiver, allowing families to move at a pace that feels manageable and supportive.
TF‑CBT has been shown to improve a range of trauma‑related outcomes, including a significant reduction in symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), while also helping children develop coping skills and build resilience.
These services are available for children ages 3 to 17 who have experienced a single traumatic event or ongoing trauma, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, or witnessing domestic violence or other violent crimes. Our goal is to support both children and caregivers with care, expertise, and compassion as they move toward healing—together.
The Cottage supports children, teens, and caregivers during forensic medical exams, which may be requested following a disclosure of sexual abuse. We partner with SANE, Inc./Anchor Point in providing this service for free. All exams are conducted by trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, who specialize in providing appropriate, trauma‑informed medical care.
A family advocate is available to support caregivers by explaining the exam process, answering questions, and assisting during medical intake. If the child chooses, a child advocate may also be present during the exam to provide developmentally appropriate emotional support.
Our role is to ensure families are informed, supported, and accompanied throughout the process.
Court proceedings can feel overwhelming for children and families, and no one should have to face them alone. The Cottage offers court advocacy to support children who have experienced abuse and the caregivers who stand beside them.
An advocate can help families prepare for court, offer supportive presence during hearings or trial, and answer questions along the way. After court concludes, our advocates continue to check in—providing reassurance, validation, and ongoing support as families move forward.
Family advocates walk alongside caregivers throughout the forensic interview process and beyond, offering support, information, and a steady presence. From the moment families arrive at the Family Protection Center, advocates help with intake, explain what to expect, and answer questions—so caregivers feel informed and supported.
After the forensic interview, family advocates continue to stay connected. They check in with families, help coordinate next steps and services, and remain available as a trusted resource as families move forward.
Family advocates also support caregivers during forensic medical exams by assisting with the medical intake process and offering calm, compassionate presence throughout the experience.
Child advocates focus on helping children feel safe, supported, and understood before and after a forensic interview. They take time to explain what will happen in age‑appropriate ways, answer questions, and offer calm, reassuring presence—so the interview experience feels as comfortable and non‑threatening as possible.
If a child chooses, a child advocate can also be present during a forensic medical exam to provide emotional support and help the child feel less alone throughout the process.
Our support groups offer children, teens, and caregivers a safe, welcoming space to connect with others who understand their experiences. Groups are gently facilitated and designed to foster connection, coping skills, and healing in an environment that feels supportive and respectful.
Each group follows a structured format to create a consistent and supportive experience.
The Cottage also offers trauma‑informed yoga for teens and adults who have experienced trauma. These sessions provide a calm, supportive space focused on choice, consent, and gentle movement to help regulate the nervous system and support healing.
Trauma‑informed yoga uses invitation‑based language, breathwork, and accessible movements, with no hands‑on assists. Mats and props are provided.
To learn more or register for a group, please contact our Outreach Coordinator:
The Cottage collects anonymous feedback from our clients to report to our grant funders on quality of services. We appreciate your feedback to improve our services for everyone!
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