Mission Statement
The mission of the Guardian ad Litem Program is to provide trained, independent advocates to represent and promote the best interests of abused, neglected or dependent children involved in the court and work toward a service system that ensures that these children are safe.
� Every five minutes�a child is abused or neglected in North Carolina
� 26 children died in North Carolina from child abuse last fiscal year.
� In North Carolina, the number of children reported as abused and neglected continues to increase by approximately 10% each year.
� 2002-2003, in North Carolina 107,157 children were reported abused or neglected. 30,016 of these children were confirmed as victims.
� Last fiscal year over 3,800 GAL volunteers and 100 attorney advocates informed judges of the needs of 15,706 children and of what services could meet those needs.
� The GAL volunteers gave the state of NC over 734,200 hours of service, representing a savings to the state of $11.78 million.
� 85% of the time the perpetrator of child abuse and neglect is a biological parent.
� Child abuse is the #1 killer of pre-school children.
� 85% of abused children will grow up to be abusive parents.
� One child in three will be sexually abused before age 18.
� In about half of the cases, these children understand abuse before they learn to read.
� Almost all criminals report having been abused as children.
� Abuse and neglect do not discriminate by social, economic, or ethnic background.
Sources: Children's Defense Fund, Stand for Children, Prevent Child Abuse NC, NC Department of Health and Human Services; and Guardian ad Litem Program in the Administrative Office of the Courts
Wayne County Courthouse
224 E. Walnut Street
Goldsboro, NC 27530
Wayne and Greene Counties 919-731-5659
Lenoir County 252-523-5217
[email protected]