More Children Being Served By Centers For Child Abuse Investigation

New statistics show an increasing number of suspected child abuse and neglect cases in West Virginia are being referred for investigation at the state’s Child Advocacy Centers. 

The data released this week comes from the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network (WVCAN),  a nonprofit membership organization comprised of 21 West Virginia Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) where allegations of abuse and neglect are investigated. 

“A child sits down with a trained interviewer and just has a conversation, and that forensic interviewer is highly trained, not only in child development, but also in forensic investigations, so they’re aware of what information CPS (Child Protective Services) will need to further their investigation,” WVCAN Executive Director Shiloh Woodard said “They’re aware of what information law enforcement will need, and they’re able to build rapport with the child and then transition into what the allegation is.” 

From July 2024 to June 2025, 4,734 children were served, reflecting a 7.6% increase in children served over the last five years. Of those:

• 4,603 forensic interviews were conducted
• 17% of the children served were referred to the CAC due to allegations of drug endangerment
• 46% of the children served were referred to the CAC due to allegations of sexual abuse
• 67% of the children served were under 12
• 96% of the alleged offenders were someone the child knew
• 1 in 3 children served had a reported or suspected disability
• 40% of children served were referred for therapy or counseling
• 833 cases had criminal charges filed
• 413 individuals were convicted for crimes against children

One in six referrals to the centers come from concern that drug use around children is putting them in danger, a figure that is four times higher than the national average, said Woodard. 

Before 2013, “Kids were getting referred to CACs due to alleged sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, but we weren’t even really asking the kinds of questions that we ask now about, what else is putting children at risk for these types of abuse?” she said. 

The process and the tracking, Woodard said, has changed for the better.

“The system has evolved, along with the impact of the epidemic, to say, ‘Hey, we need to dig a little bit further here. Is this sexual abuse in and of itself, or is it actually happening because children have been put in these drug endangered environments that has then led to other types of abuse happening?’” she said.

Anyone who suspects abuse or neglect of a child in West Virginia can call the child abuse hotline at 1-800-352-6513.