Children become victims of abuse in a variety of ways: physical, neglect, emotional, and sexual. Most often the perpetrators of these crimes are people in positions of trust, for example, a parent, guardian, sibling, neighbor, teacher, caretaker or others. The victims and perpetrators come from all walks of life.
Most people recognize that physical abuse involves such behaviors as beating, shaking, shoving, kicking, bruising, burning and choking. It is also understood that weapons are used to inflict injury. Weapons can include electric cords, boiling water, irons, etc.
But neglect is often overlooked as a form of abuse, depriving a child of basic physical needs: food, clothing, shelter, medical and dental care, or education qualify as abuse. Excessive yelling, criticizing, ridiculing behaviors represent emotionally abuse which can also include failing to provide guidance and love to children and/or threatening abandonment or physical harm.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) reports that child sexual abuse has been reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the number of unreported instances is far greater because the children are afraid to tell anyone what has happened. Sexually abusive behaviors can include seductive behavior, indecent exposure, sexual touching, fondling, game playing, and oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse.
If you are a victim, or you know someone who is a victim of child abuse, please contact the RDVIC at (304) 292-5100 immediately. We can help with counseling, victim assistance, and get you the help you need.
Monongalia County DHHR Office
PO Box 800
Morgantown, West Virginia 26507
Physical Address:
114 South High Street
Phone: (304) 285-3175
Fax: (304) 285-3174
Hours: Monday through Friday
8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Preston County DHHR Office
PO Box 100
Kingwood, WV 26537
Physical Address:
18351 Veterans Memorial Hwy
Kingwood, WV 26537
Phone: (304) 329-4340
Fax: (304) 329-6082
Hours: Monday through Friday
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Taylor County DHHR Office
PO Box 29
Grafton, WV 26354
Physical Address:
235 Barrett Street
Grafton, WV 26354
Phone: (304) 265-6103
Fax: (304) 265-6107