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County attorney reports 603 crime victims served in 2024, highlights child-abuse statistics and awareness events
Summary
Nicollet County Attorney Michelle Fisher updated the board on victim-witness services and child abuse awareness at the April 8 meeting, reporting 603 victims served in 2024 and preliminary 2025 caseload figures, and noting state child-maltreatment data from 2022.
Nicollet County Attorney Michelle Fisher reported to the Board of Commissioners on April 8 about county victim-witness services and April awareness campaigns, including National Crime Victims Rights Awareness Week and Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Fisher said Bonnie Peterson, the county’s crime victim and witness coordinator, served 603 individual victims or victimized businesses in 2024 in cases handled by the county attorney’s office. Peterson also made 386 referrals to other victim-service programs in 2024 and 148 referrals to other services, Fisher said. For 2025 Fisher said her office has handled cases involving 272 victims so far this year; Peterson has made 94 referrals to victim-service programs and 35 referrals to other services in 2025 to date.
Fisher described Peterson’s duties as providing case updates, explaining stages of criminal proceedings to victims and communicating victim concerns to prosecutors. Fisher said materials on victim-support and awareness were placed in the courthouse atrium and at public library branches and human-services locations around the county.
On child abuse, Fisher cited Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families statistics from 2022: 32,047 alleged victims were involved in 24,489 completed assessments or investigations statewide. She said children age 8 and younger made up 56.7 percent of those involved in completed maltreatment assessments and investigations, and that 1 in 5 children involved in those assessments were under age 3.
Commissioners responded with concerns about young victims and the role of peers and adults in reporting suspected abuse. Fisher urged community awareness and noted county programs that provide referrals and resources to families.
Why it matters: the figures highlight local demand for victim services and underscore county outreach and referral activity; Fisher requested continued support for victim services and indicated the county is using April awareness activities to publicize resources.
