Rowan County 35th in reports on abuse, neglect

Rowan County ranks 35th in the state in numbers of reports about suspected child abuse or neglect.

A recent report from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services used numbers of investigations based on population of children under the age of 17.

Department of Social Service officials and others in law enforcement and emergency services say the deaths of three children in 1997 and the resulting publicity continue to make local residents more willing to pick up a phone and call.

The state ranking was based on the total numbers of children in the counties. Census figures show a total of 32,175 children 16 or under in Rowan.

The Social Services Department made 1,917 investigative assessments, or nearly 60 per 1,000 children. The average rate for the state is 51 reports per 1,000 children. Burke County has the highest rate of abuse reports with 94 reports of abuse for every 1,000 children. Tyrell County had the fewest, seven reports per 1,000.

State officials say that reports from counties are hard to measure. They can mean different things.

“More reports of abuse and neglect may mean that more child abuse is occurring in these counties, but not necessarily. They may also mean that people in those counties are more vigilant about calling in suspected abuse,” said Carmen Hooker Buell, secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

“If you think a child is in danger, you must report it immediately. There’s no excuse for silence.”

Cabarrus County ranks 75th out of the state’s 100 counties. A total of 1,485 cases were investigated. With a population of nearly 34,000 children, that was an average of nearly 44 reports per 1,000 children. Stanly County was down the list a bit further at 78th. The county investigated 559 complaints or 37 per 1,000 children. Davie was close to the bottom, ranking 98th. Davie conducted 149 investigations, or 18 per 1,000 children.

In North Carolina, reporting suspected child abuse is a legal obligation. Reports may be made anonymously.

To make reports in Rowan, call the Social Services Department at 638-3175 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. At other times call 911.