A look at the first half of 2024 reveals that North Star Child Advocacy Center (NSCAC) has performed 38 less forensic interviews than this same time in 2023. With Ritchie, Pleasants, Wirt and Calhoun Counties appearing to be relatively the same as last year, the Wood County numbers were looked at closely. In the first half of 2023, Wood County alone had 255 forensic interviews, with only 215 so far this year.
The number reduction can be affected by numerous things says Greg Collins, executive director for NSCAC. “Keeping in mind we only do interviews for law enforcement or Child Protective Services (CPS), the number of interviews coming through our doors is determined by the number of investigations that are initiated by law enforcement or the number of referrals that CPS receives. I’d certainly like to think there has been a reduction in child abuse in our five counties,” states Collins.
Wood County CPS interviews are down 16 and law enforcements are down six (6). “We are definitely doing a good job in the prosecutors arena getting more cases pled or put in front of a jury. We are also seeing slight increases in interviews this year in some our outlying counties, Calhoun and Ritchie in particular,” states Collins. “I think the rise and fall in child abuse numbers is hard to assess. Is it because child abuse has truly declined? Is it becausemanpower has been an issue for the past few years for both of law enforcement and CPS? Is it because the mental health of anyone investigating these cases takes a beating? At the end of the day, who really knows? When you’re in this work, you hope the numbers decline because there are fewer child abuse incidents and you are doing a good job on all fronts to make this happen,” statesCollins.
A detailed look at Wood County regarding the number of forensic interviews per month is below:
- 2023January = 50
- February = 35
- March = 48
- April = 40
- May = 35
- June = 47
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Total = 255
- 2024 January = 46
- February = 44
- March = 16
- April = 43
- May = 33
- June = 33
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Total = 215
“In the next couple of months, we could get record breaking numbers, we never know. North Star will be prepared for whatever comes our way, doing our best to help our teams with their interviews, then attempt to heal each child that comes through our door so they can be a productive member of society,” states Collins. “We have great empathy for the investigators in law enforcement and CPS. This is a really tough job that takes a heavy toll on you personally. There is a lot of great people on the ground fighting this evil. They deserve praise and grace from everyone,” concludes Collins.
NCA is the accrediting body for more than 900 child advocacy centers, with Chapters in all 50 states. According to NCA, an estimated 1,750 children died from abuse and neglect in the United States in 2020, the most recent year for which there is national data.
You may contact North Star at 304-917-4437 or via email nscac@northstarcac.org to learn more about how you can help or to request a tour of the facility. You may also contact the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) to leave an endowment or a legacy gift to North Star. More information can be found at northstarcac.org.
North Star will be holding an Anniversary Open House on July 19thfrom 10-2, celebrating 10 years of service. The public is invited to stop in and take a tour of the center. RSVP to Greg Collins at g.collins@northstarcac.org or call 304-917-4437.
