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Victim's advocate reports 218 service contacts YTD, flags rising child‑abuse and domestic‑violence cases, unveils emergency tote pilot
Summary
Victim’s advocate Celeste Hopkins told the council she has logged 218 service contacts this fiscal year across three cities, reported an increase in male victims and a troubling rise in child physical‑abuse/neglect contacts, and described a pilot 'emergency support tote' for victims fleeing crisis.
Clinton — Victim’s advocate Celeste Hopkins briefed the city council on Feb. 10 about her office’s caseload and services, reporting 218 victim contacts so far in fiscal year 2026 across Syracuse, Clinton and Sunset and 84 contacts specific to Clinton. Hopkins said she has seen a steady increase in male victims seeking assistance and raised concern about a rise in child physical‑abuse and neglect cases.
Hopkins described the range of services she provides — criminal‑justice process information, victim‑rights guidance (and assistance submitting complaints to the state when rights may have been violated), referrals to state programs such as the Crime Victim Reparations (CVR) program and Utah Legal Services, and emotional support. She clarified that the counts shown on her chart measure services provided (for example multiple contacts for a single client), not unique victims.
To address immediate needs, Hopkins said she is developing an "emergency support tote" pilot: a purple tote, roughly $25 per unit for initial costing, containing a blanket, notebook for victims to record information, a power bank and agency contact information to provide short‑term relief when a victim must leave home suddenly. She said chiefs supported the idea and she will return with samples at the next meeting.
Hopkins said some projects were put on hold because case volumes and emotional‑support appointments have surged; she is recruiting volunteers and coordinating with Syracuse staff to assemble victim‑service folders and update online resources. Council members thanked her for the work and asked about cross‑referrals for child victims; Hopkins said she primarily becomes involved with minors when cases are sent to justice or family courts and that CPS/DCFS handle non‑criminal child protective matters.
What happens next: Hopkins will bring a sample of the emergency tote to the next council meeting, continue victim‑service improvements and follow up on survey rollout for client feedback.
