Child Abuse Stats Soar

According to statistics from Montana’s Supreme Court, there were 42 new child abuse cases reported in Valley County in 2015. That is more new cases of child abuse than in 2013 and 2014 combined, and 55 percent more cases than 2012, the previous worst year on record.

The flood of cases has swamped the child welfare system, according to Mark Douglass, local director for Court Appointed Special Advocates, an organization which trains and coordinates everyday citizens to speak out for abused children.

“CASA in Montana began on the Hi-Line, but in recent years, it has been mostly dormant in Valley County,” said Douglass, “Last spring we began recruiting and training new advocates, but this huge increase in cases really raises the stakes.”

CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge for every abused child to serve as the court’s eyes and ears. The volunteer’s role is to learn about the child’s individual circumstances and make fact-based, child-focused recommendations to the court. They are also tasked with following up to be sure no children slip through the cracks of the system.

“With this many cases,” Douglass adds, “the danger of children getting gloats in the system is exponentially increased. Th social workers, attorneys, doctors, therapists, and counselors are doing everything they can, but I fear we are in very dangerous waters. That really heightens the importance of having a CASA for every child.”

Douglass points out that serving as a CASA volunteer doesn’t require any previous special knowledge or experience. Every new volunteer will attend a pre-service training class which meets one night a week over 6 weeks. The next class begins April 25.

“Every child needs a hero,” adds Douglass, “but an abused child needs a superhero. Becoming a CASA superhero is really about having the heart to serve these amazing kids.”

Area residents interested in learning more about CASA are invited to attend meetings on April 6 and 13 at the Valley County Courthouse from 10 a.m. to noon and The Loaded Toad, 2-4 p.m.

For more information about CASA, or to find out about joining CASA’s team of volunteer advocates, please contact Douglass at [email protected] or 265-6743.