Monarch Abuse Intervention Center
The Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties has partnered with Providence’s Abuse Intervention Center for over 30 years, providing a shared space with Monarch’s Children and Advocacy Center. This collaboration has established multi-disciplinary partnerships across all the counties we serve. With the ongoing support of community members, Monarch will now manage and operate the Abuse Intervention Center for Lewis, Mason, Thurston, Grays Harbor, and Pacific Counties. This initiative aligns with the standards for Children Advocacy Centers, ensuring that children and families receive services through a community and trauma-informed approach.
Phone: 360-370-3781
Fax: 360-252-6937
Clinic Referral Email: monarchaic@caclmt.org
Monarch Abuse Intervention Center
We offer children and their caregivers expert and compassionate medical care when there are concerns about child abuse of any kind. During a medical evaluation for child abuse our medical providers take a thorough medical history and provide a physical exam to evaluate general health as well as for specific health risks related to the abuse. Medical providers can identify and document both new and old injuries, test for possible infections, and provide any needed treatment. The medical visit is an opportunity to reassure the child and the caregiver about the child’s health. This visit can be important even when the abuse occurred a long time ago. Children are empowered to make decisions about their bodies throughout this process, and all aspects of the physical exam are done with permission from the child. The medical visit also provides information for caregivers on how to support a child who has experienced a trauma such as abuse. Staff can help answer any questions the child or caregiver may have. Our goal is to support the child and caregiver where they are, identify any medical concerns and provide treatment, offer education about normal responses to trauma, and make referrals for ongoing services.
How to Seek Urgent Care for Your Child
Children with concerns for recent sexual abuse or strangulation (typically within one week) can be evaluated by an on-call Forensic Nurse Examiner at the Emergency Department at Providence St. Peter Hospital or Providence Centralia Hospital. These forensic exams are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
If the sexual abuse or strangulation assault occurred within the last 120 hours, the Forensic Nurse Examiner may collect of forensic evidence. Avoid bathing or showering the child, and place any clothing or linens in a paper bag to be given to law enforcement.
It is important that a child not be questioned or interviewed further by parents, family members, or others about the concerning incident or disclosure of abuse. General questions about pain or other symptoms may be asked by a caregiver to determine if there is a need for medical care.
If this is not a recent sexual abuse or strangulation assault, or for cases of chronic physical abuse, torture, or neglect, children may be referred to the Monarch Abuse Intervention Center for triage and possible medical evaluation. If the child has physical symptoms and/or visible injuries that may be related to abuse, a timely medical examination may be indicated even before a visit to the Monarch Intervention Center can take place. Immediate evaluation may be appropriate with a primary care provider, urgent care, or the emergency department, depending on the severity of the concern and the availability of after-hours medical care.
Preparing Your Child for a Visit to the Clinic
Clinic services are provided by appointment only. Patients ages 0-17 are referred to our clinic by medical providers, law enforcement or Child Protective Services when there is a concern for sexual abuse, physical abuse, severe neglect, child torture and/or any other form of child maltreatment. During the scheduling call please talk with our clinic staff about the best way to explain the visit to your child. Please assure your child that we see many children just like them. We understand. Tell your child they can choose an adult to be with them during their physical examination. Reassure the child that this is not a physically painful or invasive exam. Your child will participate in deciding what happens during their exam. Encourage older teens to talk directly with our staff about their upcoming visit.
A community advocate can be available to support you at the appointment and beyond. Advocates answer questions, provide emotional support, connect you to community resources, and help you navigate next steps. Please let our staff know if you would like an advocate to be present during the clinic visit.
The medical visit is provided at no cost to the child and caregivers. Child abuse evaluations are covered by the Washington State Crime Victims Compensation Program (CVC).
If You Need to Report Child Abuse
To report concerns about harm or neglect of a child or teenager, call your local law enforcement or the Washington Child Protective Services hotline at 1-866-END-HARM or 1-866-764-2233.
Donate
Donations to MCJAC are tax deductible. You may make a payroll deduction through United Way or the State Employee Combined Fund Drive. Our CFDA number is 0376755.
Shop and Donate
Or shop online at www.iGive.com and earn money for MCJAC while getting great deals at dozens of stores including Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, J.C. Penneys, Lands End, etc.
Volunteer
Join Friends of MCJAC. Help promote Monarch in the community and raise funds while having a great time! Call (360) 923-1884 x1102 or email for more information.
Attend a Benefit Event
Attend our benefit concert (end of February) or other community events. See our Events Page.
Speak Out Against Child Abuse
Follow the links to Prevent Child Abuse America or to Darkness to Light and find out more ways that you can speak out against child abuse.