×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Do More to Keep Our Children Safe

Many West Virginians would do just about anything to prevent harm coming to a child. But child abuse may be increasing in our state.

During the 2017 fiscal year, which ended June 30, the state’s 21 advocacy centers for children provided services to 3,914 youngsters, according to a published report. That was an increase of more than 400 from the preceding 12-month period.

And the actual number of child abuse victims undoubtedly is much higher than the figure reported. The 21 centers cover just 40 of our 55 counties. And a substantial number of abuse situations are never brought to the attention of people who may be able to help.

One reason for that is that the abusers often are parents. Forty percent of the 3,914 cases reported involved biological fathers and sometimes, mothers.

A staggering 99 percent of the abuse reported was committed by someone the child knew.

Child advocates are not certain whether the higher numbers reflect more abuse, or more children coming forward to report it.

Discussing abuse with a child can be very, very difficult. It is a conversation parents need to have, however. No child should have to suffer silently.

We know some abuse stems from the drug epidemic in West Virginia. In the Northern Panhandle alone, we have numerous reports of children placed in dangerous situations, often mistreated even by parents who misuse drugs.

Among the most distressing aspects of the problem is that those guilty of harming children often escape punishment — and sometimes retain custody of their victims.

Of the 3,914 victims cited in a recent report, criminal charges were filed in only 548 cases. Convictions were obtained in just 242 situations.

It can be exceedingly difficult to even obtain enough evidence to charge a child abuser, much less to convict him or her. Still, we have to do better.

If that requires devoting more resources to the problem, so be it. Our children deserve the best we can do to keep them safe.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today