The month of May brought some significant developments at Childhelp’s Children’s Center of Arizona — both challenging and promising.
Increase in cancellations and no-shows
We observed a rise in cancellations and no-shows among our Phoenix clients, which led to a noticeable decline in the percentage of Phoenix residents among our new enrollments. The reasons behind this trend are multifaceted, including possible transportation issues, scheduling conflicts, and other personal challenges faced by the families we serve. Our team is actively working to understand and address these barriers to ensure that all in need can access our services.
More victim advocates
We are excited to announce that a new victim advocate joined our team in June. With three dedicated professionals now in this role, we anticipate a significant increase in victim advocate meetings moving forward. This expansion will enhance our capacity to provide timely and effective support to victims and their families, ensuring more individuals benefit from our advocacy and assistance programs.
Forensic and advocacy data
Combining data from our forensic and advocacy services, we gained valuable insights into the demographics and nature of the cases we handle.
We provided support to 67 families in maintaining their housing through advocating to landlords, securing shelter placements and identifying rental assistance programs, as well as helping with food and clothing needs.
Types of abuse reported:
- Physical abuse: 14%
- Sexual abuse: 75%
- “Other” (neglect, trafficking, drug exposure): 11%
Gender:
- Female: 64%
- Male: 36%
“More victims are female, a trend that has persisted for years,” says Jesse Sandoval, advocacy manager at the Children’s Center of Arizona. “This phenomenon is open to interpretation: It may be because most perpetrators are male, or that females are more vulnerable, or that male victims often feel more shame due to societal pressures, or because certain cultures emphasize masculinity, discouraging male victims from coming forward.”
The largest age group of victims continues to be ages 7–12, at 35%. “These statistics highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions and support systems for children, particularly this age demographic,” Sandoval says.
Take a virtual tour of the Children’s Center of Arizona:
As we reflect on the data and trends from the Children’s Center of Arizona’s May 2024 monthly report, our commitment to supporting and protecting children remains steadfast. We recognize the challenges posed by increased cancellations and no-shows and are dedicated to finding solutions to ensure consistent access to our services. The addition of a new victim advocate is a positive step forward, and we look forward to the positive effect this will have on our ability to serve the community.
We remain deeply committed to addressing all forms of child abuse and providing comprehensive support to victims and their families. Understanding the dynamics of the cases we encounter, allows us to continue to improve our strategies and outreach efforts.
Thank you for your continued support in our mission to protect and advocate for vulnerable children.
Learn more about Childhelp’s Children’s Advocacy Centers.
