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WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – The Wausau Police Department (WPD) unveiled their numbers from 2024. Child sexual assault, exploitation and fraud were some of the largest concerns.
Child pornography cases rose 43% percent, with 6 more cases in 2024 compared to 2023. Sexual assaults increased by 45% with 9 more cases from 2023 to 2024. “About one-third of sexual assaults get reported, meaning the majority do not get reported to law enforcement,” said Captain Ben Graham, WPD.
On YouTube, “The Wausau PD Podcast” episode 19, “Seek then speak,” highlighted local resources that victims could report to if they did not want to go to police. The podcast also has covered topics like sextortion and the potential dangers of social media, which according to the report, underscores the increase in exploitation and child pornography cases.
On top of bringing awareness to those issues, Graham says that elders are being targeted in fraud cases, many of which are in the realm of cryptocurrency.
A handful of trends saw slight to moderate increases, but drug overdoses were at a six-year low with 19 total incidents (13 non-fatal and 6 fatal). Despite the downward trend, the first quarter of 2024 saw three overdose fatalities involving three adult males. According to the report, fentanyl toxicity remains the leading cause.
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