2012 Statistical Report for NC Children's Advocacy Centers
Seventy-eight (78) counties in NC are being served by a CAC. There are 24 accredited Children's Advocacy Centers in North Carolina. Ten (10) other counties are developing CACs. The National Children's Alliance is the national accrediting body for CACs. Children's Advocacy Centers are the only non-profit victim service agency in North Carolina with a national governing body and accreditation standards that hold them accountable for quality service.
In 2012, 6,727 new child abuse cases were investigated through Children's Advocacy Centers in North Carolina saving local communities and state agencies $7,043,169 (see details for calculations below).
For every $1 of state funding that accredited CACs receive, they raise $20.00 from other sources.
7,401 abused children received unduplicated services through a CAC
6,727 total child abuse cases investigated through the CAC model
5,183 forensic interviews were conducted at a CAC by or for law enforcement and child protective services
19,269 children participated in child abuse prevention programs provided by their local CAC
1,544 abused children received mental health treatment at their local CAC
2,913 sexually abused children received a required medical exam at their local CAC
The combined Successful Prosecution Rate of child abuse cases in NC counties that have a Children's Advocacy Center is 90.6%.
In 2005, the University of Alabama conducted a cost-benefit analysis of communities utilizing the Children's Advocacy Center approach as compared to communities that did not have a CAC and investigated child abuse in traditional ways. The study found that " on a per-case basis, traditional investigations were 36% more expensive than a investigation utilizing the CAC model. The average per case cost of a CAC investigation was $2902 compared to a cost of $3949 for a non-CAC investigation, generating a savings of $1047 per case.
Demographics of Child Cases Investigated Through NC CAC's
6,727 New Cases
Sex
Female 67%
Male 33%
Ages
0-6 39%
7-12 36%
13-18 25%
Racial Background
White 59%
African American 24%
Hispanic 8%
Native American 4%
Asian 0%
Other 5%
Type of Case
Sex Abuse 74%
Physical Abuse 15%
Neglect 5%
Child Witness to Violence 3%
Drug Endangered Child 1%
Other 2%
Alleged Perpetrator Information (4,977 investigated)
Alleged Perpetrator by Type
Parent of Child 29%
Step-Parent 6%
Parent's Boyfriend or Girlfriend 10%
Other Relative 21%
Other Known Person 27%
Unknown or unable to determine 7%
Alleged Perpetrator by Age
0-12 9%
12-17 12%
18+ 64%
Age unknown 15%
