Clay County child abuse and domestic violence on the rise, numbers may be sign of positive trend

CLAY COUNTY, Mo. (KCTV) - Clay County Sherriff’s Office recently released their 2024 annual report, and some numbers were concerning.

It shows a big increase in both the number of child abuse and domestic violence cases from the year before.

Child abuse cases surged from just two to eleven and there were 58 reports of domestic violence compared to just 13 in 2023.

With a spike in child abuse and domestic violence, Clay County investigators said it’s not more violence but rather more people finding the courage to speak up.

“I think the main reason is education currently, I think kids are being more driven to report these issues and that comes back to our schools,” explained Lieutenant Chris Johnson, an Assistant Division Commander with the Investigations Division.

Johnson said schools are playing a bigger role in teaching kids when and how to .

“Kids are encouraged to tell an adult when something has happened to them, when they feel like something shouldn’t have happened, and it’s up to us to investigate that,” he said.

While the numbers may seem alarming, Johnson said they reflect growing awareness in their communities, that’s also why we’re seeing a jump in domestic violence cases in Clay County.

“Our hotline calls increased about 50% from 2023 to 2024, so we are seeing a large increase in people trying to access domestic violence resources,” said Christina Cherry.

Christina Cherry oversees Synergy’s Domestic Violence Housing Program and said the report reveals a hard truth.

“1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience domestic violence, that’s true in Clay County. We run right along the national average and so domestic violence has always been here, it’s just been hidden,” she said.

Cherry believes community collaboration is driving the rise in reports.

“A big thing is the domestic violence court, that began last year, and it has made a big difference in people feeling like their cases are going to be heard in a just and fair way,” she explained.

In the past, Cherry saw repeat visitors at the domestic violence shelter, now she’s seeing new faces.

“The fact that there is a light being shown on it and that people are coming forward, I think that can only bring progress, that’s what we need to happen.”

If you or someone you know needs domestic violence or child abuse resources click here.

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