Increase in child abuse amplifies the need for advocates

Press release

According to statistics from Montana’s Supreme Court, there were 85 new child abuse cases reported in Hill County in 2015, almost as many new cases as in 2013 and 2014 combined, and 25 percent more cases than in 2012, the previous worst year on record.

The flood of cases has swamped the child welfare system. The effect has been magnified for CASA — Court Appointed Special Advocates — an organization that trains and coordinates everyday citizens to speak out for abused children.

“We’ve had a couple of great classes recently, with a lot of new CASAs, but this spike in cases is overwhelming. We have more children waiting for a CASA than ever before,” said Mark Douglass, the local CASA director. “With this many cases, the danger of children ‘slipping through the cracks’ is exponentially increased. The 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, someone who not only monitors a case, providing an extra set of eyes watching out for these children, but who also positively advocates for the child,” Douglass added.

A CASA volunteer investigates, monitors and advocates for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. A CASA is a voice from the community speaking out for the best interests of our most vulnerable children. However, being a CASA doesn’t require any previous special knowledge or experience. Volunteers will learn everything they need to know in a preservice training class which meets one night a week over 6 weeks. The next class begins April 11.

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

Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a CASA can meet at Holiday Village Mall Friday, April 1, 4 to 6 p.m., and Saturday, April 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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