Reported Child Sex Assaults Up 210 Percent In Charlotte Metro

CHARLOTTE, NC — Reports of sexual assaults of children in the Charlotte metro region have surged 210 percent in the past year, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said Thursday.

"We've seen an alarming increase in the number of children who have been victimized by sex assaults this year compared to last year," CMPD spokesperson Rob Tufano said Thursday.

According to investigators, the rise in reported cases comes as children returned to school, activities and proximity to trusted adults after a year of pandemic shutdowns.

"This year alone, we've had 31 so far. Last year, we had only 10," said Detective Jessica Hall of CMPD's Crimes Against Children Unit. "I believe that's due to the delay in reporting of the assaults that occurred last year, where the children were with their abusers or were in a situation where they were not safe to tell."

Hall said she believed the sex assaults remain underreported. "We'll see the rippling effect of that for years to come," she said.

During investigations of reported assaults, CMPD turns to a long-running partnership with Pat's Place Child Advocacy Center for forensic interviews of the young victims. In the interviews, the children sit with one person in a child-friendly setting to discuss what happened to them. CMPD investigators are able to observe the interviews, but are not in the room when they occur. Interviews are video and audio recorded, which Hall said is done in an attempt to prevent the children from having to testify on the stand in court.

"We don't want the child to have to repeat over and over their abuse," Hall said.

"It is important to remember that though it has increased 210 percent, these are not random strangers that are committing these acts," Hall said. "Stranger assaults are very rare, and few and far between. These are often times family members, friends, trusted adults that are committing these acts."

Hall said some signs of possible child sex abuse include:

• Being withdrawn
• A sudden change in demeanor or behavior
• If someone in the family or an adult gives gifts out of the blue

Hall urged anyone who knows a victim or was a victim of child sex assault to call the Department of Social Services reporting line at 980-314-3577. Anyone who wants to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

SEE ALSO:

• Got Bed Bugs? Charlotte Metro Is Among 2021's Top Cities
• NC Schools Planning For In-Person Classes, Masks This Fall
• NC Extends Programs For Rent, Utility Financial Assistance
• Armed, Barricaded Suspect Apprehended After 2-Hour Standoff
• Wanted Street Racing Suspect Turns Himself In To Police