Huntsville’s National Children’s Advocacy Center marks four decades of groundbreaking impact.

HUNTSVILLE — In 1985, a quiet but revolutionary movement began in Huntsville that would change the way the world responds to child abuse.

Forty years later, that movement has become a global model for healing and justice.

What began as a single center offering a compassionate, coordinated response to child abuse has grown into an internationally recognized model, now replicated more than 1,100 times across all 50 states and in 41 countries.

Last month, dignitaries from across Alabama and Washington, D.C., gathered in the ballroom of the Huntsville Botanical Garden to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the National Children’s Advocacy Center.

The evening honored former U.S. Rep. Robert “Bud” Cramer Jr., who founded the NCAC in 1985 while serving as Madison County district attorney. Cramer’s vision was to create a child-focused environment that brings together law enforcement, mental health professionals, medical experts, and prosecutors.

The multidisciplinary team has forever changed how communities support victims of abuse.

“Bud Cramer didn’t just build something for Huntsville; he sparked a global movement that puts children first,” said NCAC Development Manager Hannah Alderson. “Children deserve the best.”

Cramer was recognized not only for his local legacy but also for his ongoing national impact. As a member of Congress, his leadership in securing critical funding through the Children’s Advocacy Centers Program, included helping to write the 1990 Victims of Child Abuse Act, allowed the NCAC model to expand nationwide.

“This anniversary is not just about looking back; it’s about recommitting ourselves to the future,” said NCAC Executive Director Chris Newlin. “Every child deserves safety, support, and justice, and we’ll continue working toward a world where that is the norm.”

Since its founding, the NCAC has trained more than 100,000 child abuse professionals from around the world through its training center and continues to serve children and families in Madison County every day.

For more information, visit www.nationalcac.org.