Why Do We Need The Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County?
The benefits of a Children’s Advocacy Center are immediately apparent.
· A consistent and fast follow-up to abuse reports.
· Medical and mental health referrals that more effectively help the child and the child’s family.
· A dramatic reduction in the number of interviews a victim must undergo
· Increased successful prosecutions
· Most importantly, consistent and compassionate support for the child and family
Child abuse is a community concern. The Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County brings together the members of the community that can help provide support for the child victim and the family in an all-inclusive, child friendly environment.
The Cold Reality
1,507 reported child sexual abuse cases in Benton County in 2007.
Benton County is number one (per capita) in reported cases of abuse, and number one in cases substantiated as true.
In 2000, Arkansas had over 17,000 abuse cases opened. Benton, Washington, Carroll and Madison counties accounted for 2,014 of those. Pulaski County ranked highest with Benton County ranking the 2nd highest.
In physical, sexual abuse, neglect or a combination of all three, Benton County accounts for 5.7% of Arkansas’ reported cases. Washington County has 5.1%. Of those reported cases, Benton County shows 34% of confirmed abuse cases. Washington County 35%, Pulaski County 30.6%. Arkansas’ average is 33% of reported cases that are substantiated as true.
Twenty out of every 1,000 children in the United States are abused and neglected.
At least three children die each day as a result of abuse or neglect. Children under five account for 85 percent of abuse deaths, while 45 percent are children under one year old.