Chenango County Ranks No. 5 in Child Abuse

April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, which promotes awareness of the growing problem of child abuse in our country.

In Chenango County, the Child Advocacy Center on Silver Street in Norwich is there to help victims dealing with abuse problems. Mike Midaugh, supervisor of the center, says out of New York's 62 counties, Chenango County ranks fifth in reported child abuse incidents.

He explains some of the many aspects of helping abused children.

"It's our purpose there through the Chenango County multi-disciplinary team, which is made up of law enforcement, Child Protective Services, mental health professionals, medical professionals, and advocates -- we all work together to help children who have been abused either sexually or physically, maltreated or neglected," he said. "We have a child-friendly environment -- a place where they can come and we can talk with them and interview them."

The week of April 21, the Child Advocacy Center will offer a number of events during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.