Thurston County's 2021 child abuse rate higher than state

Thurston County saw an increase in child abuse rate from 33.99 victims per 1,000 children to 36.22 per 1,000 children, according to the 2021 data.

Gretchen Thaller of Thurston's Public Health - Maternal Child Health Division reported that the county's child abuse rate was higher than the Washington State rate of 35.7 victims per 1,000 children.

"We are not expecting that this will be better for 2022," said Thaller during Tuesday's Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Meeting. "Unfortunately, we had a high number of children who lost their lives during that year."

Long term issues

Thaller discussed the long-term effects that can happen to a child who experienced abuse.

She said these effects might include mental and physical health concerns and cognitive changes.

Cecil revealed that it might be harder for them in school or with a job in the future and that they have a greater risk for substance abuse and its impacts on their other relationships, like domestic violence or their parenting later on.

"Child abuse and experiencing it leaves a footprint on that person's life," Cecil added.

Meanwhile, Thurston's Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Cailen Cecil reported that they received 122 referred cases of child abuse, both physical and sexual assault, in 2022.

Cecil said they filed charges on 46 cases, while they decided not to file any charges on 17 cases, adding that 15 cases went into resolution, and 53 cases are still pending review.

Thaller also shared her office's success story of convicting child and sexual abuser Adam Paris, who was sentenced to 24 years in prison.

"This case is a great example of a community coordinated response," Cecil said. "These young children disclosed first to their pediatrician, who immediately reached out to Child Protective Services, who looped in law enforcement, who looped in Monarch Children's Justice Advocacy Center, so this really was a situation where the community worked together and provided a network of support to this family."

March is Child Abuse Prevention Month

During the same meeting, the BOCC proclaimed the month of March as Child Abuse Prevention Month, urging all residents to actively participate in the care, well-being, and protection of children.

The BOCC also encouraged the public to wear blue on "Go Blue Day" on Friday, April 7, to build awareness about child abuse and neglect prevention and to inspire change.

"If you think about it, young people are 30% of our population, but they're a hundred percent of our future," said Commissioner Gary Edwards.

Editors' Note: Corrected as of April 4, 2023.