WHEREAS, Children’s Advocacy Centers in North Carolina served 12,433 children in 2021, providing forensic interviews, child medical evaluations, victim advocacy, and evidence based mental health treatment free of charge to children and families; and
WHEREAS, approximately 67% of the children seen at North Carolina Children’s Advocacy Centers in 2021 were 12 years old or younger; and
WHEREAS, 54% of the children served at North Carolina Children’s Advocacy Centers in 2021 were victims of child sexual abuse, 21% were victims of child physical abuse, 10% were victims of child neglect, 6% of children were witnesses to violence, 3% of children were drug endangered, and 6% were victims of other types of crime to include child trafficking; and
WHEREAS, 93% of child abuse victims know their abuser; and
WHEREAS, the Children’s Advocacy Centers model promotes and delivers excellence in best practice response to child abuse and prevention through direct services, education, multi-disciplinary collaboration, and leadership;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 11, 2022, as “CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.