Does my son have to testify in court in a child abuse case?

A year ago my son’s father was investigated by the North Carolina Child Protective Services for physical abuse of my son, who is now 9 years old. The father denied the abuse but the police believed my son’s version of the events and have charged my ex with criminal child abuse. The prosecutor for Wake County says my son may have to testify about what happened. My son is terrified of his father and does not want to have to be in a courtroom with him and tell what happened. Can the prosecutor’s office force my son to testify about the child abuse in front of his father? What if my son simply refuses to say anything or is just too scared to answer the questions, will the criminal case be dropped?