Frequently Asked
Quick questions, fast facts.
No, Scotty’s House is NOT a shelter. We are a Child Advocacy Center (CAC), located in Bryan, TX serving seven counties: Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington.
The criminal justice system, primarily designed for adult perpetrators and not child victims, often lacks coordination between police, prosecution, mental health, and medical agencies. Without Child Advocacy Centers, children are often "re-victimized" through unnecessary and repetitive interviews due to each agency's independent process. This process led to the duplication of efforts between the various departments while also complicating the information for the child's case in an already complex legal system. CACs help overcome these problems by reducing child trauma and enhancing the investigation, resulting in improved lives for child victims and a higher number of convictions for offenders.
Scotty’s House serves children, under the age of 18, whose case was referred by law enforcement or CPS. We serve children who are victims of criminal child abuse or children who witnessed a violent crime. Criminal child abuse includes, but is not limited to, sexual abuse, child sex trafficking, and physical abuse. Scotty’s House served over 500 children and their non-offending family members in 2017.
Click here to learn more about how you can make a difference at Scotty’s House, and in the lives of the most severely abused children in the Brazos Valley.
A highly trained team comprised of a police detective, assistant district attorney, Child Protective Services caseworker, forensic interviewer, therapist, and consulting medical professional (when required) manage each child's case. This team works together to investigate allegations of child abuse and to protect the child. Forensic interviews are conducted in an age appropriate room, with emphasis on the child's comfort, minimal number of interviews, and proper evidence collection with an unbiased, non-suggestive, non-leading interview protocol. Scotty’s House offers child victims and non-offending caregivers with needed treatment by experienced therapists. Modalities of therapy include art therapy, play therapy, animal assisted therapy, and more. Family Assistance is provided to clients and their non-offending family members to help them understand their rights as crime victims, and to assist them in accessing other community and government resources. Forensic Medical Exams are conducted when necessary by specially trained medical staff using child sensitive procedure(s) whether onsite or at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in College Station.
No, our services are provided at no cost to the clients.
Scotty’s House does not have a psychiatrist or psychologist on staff, but we may be able to provide referrals to such professionals within your community.
Unfortunately, Scotty’s House only treats children ages 3-18 in our counseling department, their siblings, and non-offending caregivers. We may be able to provide you with resources in the community for additional counseling services.
No, first make a report via law enforcement or Child Protective Services. You can contact your local law enforcement office to make a report OR contact the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 or TxAbuseHotline.org. Law Enforcement/CPS will refer cases to Scotty’s House.
You can contact your local law enforcement office to make a report OR contact the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 or TxAbuseHotline.org. If the child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Scotty’s House is not a reporting agency for child abuse. We assist in the investigation process and provide services once a child’s outcry has been confirmed. If you have questions about where to start, please contact us and a specialist can help direct you to the appropriate resource: 979-703-8813. If you suspect a child has been abused, please call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or you can report online at TxAbuseHotline.org. If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, please contact your local law enforcement or dial 911.
Please do not ask your child(ren) any more questions about the abuse. Please see the forensic interview section for more information. You can contact Scotty’s House for directions at 979-703-8813 or view the address and map on our Contact page.
You need to bring the child(ren) that is being interviewed and a picture I.D. of the adult transporting the child. Having and/or knowing the child(ren)’s Social Security Number and/or health insurance information is helpful.
No, we do not assess children to see if they have been sexually abused. Scotty’s House provides forensic interviews of children who have made an outcry of abuse. Forensic interviews may only be scheduled by law enforcement or Child Protective Services. If you suspect a child has been abused, please call the Texas Abuse Hotline 1-800-252-5400 or you can report online at TxAbuseHotline.org. If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, please contact your local law enforcement or dial 911.
Yes, children rarely lie about abuse. In fact, less than 10% of child abuse allegations are false, and many of those are first fabricated by adults, NOT children.
Scotty’s House does not house families or individuals. If you need a place to stay in reference to domestic violence, please contact Phoebe’s Home at 979-775-5355 or call 211 for a local shelter.
Yes, if you are still under the age of 18 or if your child is beginning to have difficulty with the abuse again, please call Scotty’s House and speak to the Family Services Coordinator to resume your counseling sessions.
Yes, Scotty’s House will see your child to get them ready for court.
We do not have lawyers on staff and do not get involved in custody hearings.
Scotty’s House does not help with divorce or custody issues. This is a civil matter and you may need to contact an attorney for legal advice.
We do not have funding but can provide referrals for our clients to agencies that are able to assist your needs.