Message from the Executive Director

In 1993, District Attorney Joe Rubio called together a group of Laredoans, each of them representing agencies that served children, i.e. Laredo and United ISD, Child Protective Services, Laredo Police Department, Webb and Zapata Sheriffs Departments, the County Attorney.  D.A. Rubio was deeply troubled over a phenomenon that was fast approaching epidemic proportions, a dramatic increase in the number of outcries of child abuse and an equally obvious lack of coordinated support for these little ones. What followed this call to action was remarkable, and by 1995, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Laredo-Webb County was serving children who had been victimized, over 6000 children in the last fifteen years. Today, children who outcry to abuse, close to 80% of them victims of sexual abuse, are assured an array of services, offered by a multi-disciplinary team of caring professionals whose services range from the carefully constructed investigation of the allegation, supportive advocacy for all social/medical services merited, counseling and therapy, and prosecution of the predator, if the case warrants it.  But much remains to be done; too many children still remain hidden from view, the research suggesting that for every one child that outcries, ten are unreported.  And thus this year’s theme-“One with Courage,” honoring the courage that it takes child victims to step out of the shadows and outcry about their abuse, honoring the courage of adults who recognize the symptoms and reach out to help these little ones. Courage is also required of all of our community, to talk about this silent crime, too long hidden and considered taboo; to learn the signs of abuse so that we can recognize them and disclose the perpetrators. Essentially, our website is designed to educate the community about the importance of being vigilant, of knowing what to do if one suspects abuse, of doing what is right for these littlest victims, who often are deliberately silenced and thus lack access to safety.  We are very proud of the work that our CAC and its MDT partners do on behalf of our community’s children, and we want you to be a part of it as well.

Sylvia Bruni, Executive Director
Children’s Advocacy Center of  Laredo-Webb County