The Child Advocacy Center of Northern New York is honored by the National Children's Alliance for it's work with abused children. Our Brian Dwyer has the story.

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WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- It's the only one of its kind within a 70 mile radius. The Child Advocacy Center of Northern New York is the place children can go after suffering abuse.

This past year, it was one of just 13 in the country to get accreditation for its work from the National Children's Alliance.

"Everything is done for the comfort of the child to put them at ease and to help them relax and not be so frightened by the whole experience," Victim's Assistance Center Executive Director Elaina Marra said.

"Donors and individuals in the community can view that as a good housekeeping seal of approval that their investment and the community's investment in services to abused children is well spent," Theresa Huizar, Director of the National Children's Alliance added.

She says a team visited Watertown before granting the accreditation.

The Alliance says some of the great features in Watertown are the welcoming area with books and toys. here's also two interview rooms, one designed for younger children and the other a bit older, each, Marra says, designed for kids to feel safe. There's even a new addition that many places do not have: A medical room.

"The medical team that works here are New York State certified. They have the ability to do an examination on a younger child or an older child," Marra added.

The other reason for the honor, is the center's work with local law enforcement and child protection agencies in helping with the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the abuse. The center hopes to soon have police, a district attorney staffer and someone from Child Protective Services to use the office space on a regular basis.

"The importance is the exchange of information and the fact that referrals can come directly into the center from the different agencies that work with them," Marra said.

The center was also honored by the state, being named as a Tier 1 agency by the Office of Children and Family Services.

The center joins others in Fulton, Cooperstown, Herkimer and Oneida on the accreditation list.