CASE Used as National Model

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Angie Eichelberger, Executive Assistant, 
October 22, 2012 

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Highlight Lancaster County C.A.S.E.’s Efforts in new Toolkit 
  
 LANCASTER COUNTY (October 22, 2012) –The Lancaster County Campaign Against Sexual Exploitation (C.A.S.E.) of children was selected as a model for counties and organizations nationwide by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). “It is a great honor to receive this recognition from NCMEC,” stated Commissioner Martin, Co-Chair of Lancaster County C.A.S.E. 

NCMEC, which created C.A.S.E as a national effort to raise awareness about sexual exploitation and abuse of children and offer education on how to recognize and report victimization, recently released a new “Toolkit” to help communities across the country implement CASE. In that “Toolkit”, Lancaster County C.A.S.E. is showcased as example of “CASE in Action”. 

“We are excited about the steps taken by County Commissioner Martin and the Lancaster County C.A.S.E. Task Force and are encouraged by the public response they’ve received,” stated Herbert C. Jones, Vice President, External Affairs, NCMEC. “We hope that by highlighting their efforts in our new “Toolkit”, it will inspire and encourage other entities across the United States to start CASE campaigns in their communities as well.” 

According to NCMEC, one in five girls and one in ten boys will be sexually victimized before they reach adulthood. In Lancaster County, the Lancaster County Children and Youth Agency investigated 258 cases of child sexual abuse in 2011. Since 2006, more than 2,000 referrals have been made to the Lancaster County Children’s Alliance, which provides forensic and medical examinations for children in Lancaster County. 

“It is a horrific reality to understand that even one child in Lancaster County has been sexually abused,” stated Commissioner Martin. “I am proud of the Lancaster County C.A.S.E. task force and its efforts in our community. Together with our partners, we will continue to strive for a Lancaster County community that rejects the sexual exploitation of our children.“
 
For more information about Lancaster County CASE and ways to help combat the sexual exploitation of children in our community, please visit www.LancasterCountyCASE.org. or call 717/295-2058.