Officials report a 7.5% increase in the number of children served at West Virginia Child Advocacy Centers during the 2025 fiscal year. According to a new statewide report, 4,734 children received services — the highest number in the past five years.
Of those cases, 17% involved drug endangerment allegations, four times the national average. Nearly half of the children were referred for suspected sexual abuse, and 67% were under age 12. One in three had a reported or suspected disability, and 40% were referred to therapy. WCHS TV said more than 800 cases led to criminal charges, with 413 convictions. The state’s 21 Child Advocacy Centers serve 48 counties, providing coordinated support to child abuse victims.