(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Though a detailed analysis is still being prepared, North Star Child Advocacy Center has released preliminary 2025 numbers that tell a complex story.

North Star works with Child Protective Services, law enforcement and prosecutors to provide forensic interviews and medical exams for child abuse investigations, and advocates for children in Wood, Wirt, Pleasants, Ritchie and Calhoun counties. The number of interviews in 2025 is up 11% from 2024, at 588.

That is still down from the peak of 618 in 2022, but a worrying sign.

“We would like to think child abuse has decreased over the past two years, but that simply isn’t the case,” Executive Director Greg Collins said. “Keeping in mind the only children we interview are brought to us by Child Protective Services, law enforcement, prosecutors or judges, their capacity to get them here determines how many we see.”

In fact, Collins suggests that if numbers are lower in some regions, it may have as much to do with state government’s work to reconfigure and streamline CPS operations as anything else.

“For example, if CPS is struggling to keep up with the workload and/or suffering with mental health issues within the rank and file, that would prevent children from getting here,” he said.

Wood County (areas outside city limits) had 198 children interviewed, Parkersburg had 156, Vienna had 24 and Williamstown had five — totaling 383 children interviewed. That was down just slightly from 2024.

But in Wirt County, there was a 273% increase — from 22 to 73, and Collins sees that as a positive thing.

“With new prosecutor Austin Grimmett, and new deputy Roman Rader, Wirt County’s children have been brought to the forefront and are being helped,” said Collins. “Both Austin and Roman received Shooting Star Awards at the December North Star Night Out gala, and for good reason.”

Ritchie County had 31 interviews, Calhoun County had 24 — a 60% increase, and Pleasants County had nine.

If there is any good news to glean from these numbers, then, it is that in some communities, law enforcement and prosecutors have renewed determination to do all they can for these kids. Those folks are to be applauded, and must serve as an inspiration to others.

But the bad news is there are still children in our region who are suffering and in danger. As lawmakers and other public officials keep their focus on what truly will uplift West Virginia children and their families, it is at least a comfort to know there are places such as North Star where kids can be safe, feel heard and have an advocate during a horrific time in their lives.

How wonderful it will be if one day North Star’s workload is not so heavy.