This indicator reflects the number of founded investigations for children in which physical abuse, physical neglect, sexual abuse, mental abuse/neglect, or medical neglect by family members was confirmed. CPS investigations are conducted when there are immediate concerns about child safety, a prior history of child abuse and/or when the reported allegation is severe.
Source: Virginia Department of Social Services, OASIS
This indicator counts founded investigations, not the number of children abused/neglected. Children may be counted more than once if an investigation identifies more than one type of abuse/neglect or if multiple investigations throughout the year are founded. This indicator counts substantiated reports, not persons abused. Certain local agencies serve multiple counties. For example, the same rate will be displayed for York and Poquoson as the information for these combined localities can be difficult to accurately disaggregate. A full list of combined localities can be found in the Data Guide.
Upon validating a report of child abuse or neglect for an investigation response, a local department of social services determines whether the investigation is founded based on a preponderance of evidence showing that maltreatment has occurred. Types of child abuse and neglect for which an investigation may be founded include physical abuse, physical neglect, sexual abuse, mental abuse/neglect, and medical neglect. A large number of valid reports of child abuse and neglect receive a family assessment response rather than an investigation; assessments are not included in these data. Family assessments are the preferred response when a child is not in immediate danger and include developing plans to remedy and/or prevent risk of future abuse. Investigations are conducted when there are immediate concerns about child safety, a prior history of child abuse, and/or the reported allegation is severe. This indicator reflects the number of founded investigations for any type of child abuse/neglect, not the number of children abused/neglected; children may be counted more than once if they experience more than one type of abuse/neglect, or if more than one family perpetrator was involved.
Additional information about indicator data and data limitations can be found at: http://www.fact.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Data-Guide.pdf
Data Last Updated: August 2, 2017