Hoops Family Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center 2025 Child Abuse Statistics Released

Marshall Health Network-Hoops Family Children’s Hospital Child Advocacy Center (HFCH CAC), in conjunction with the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network (WVCAN), today released its child abuse statistics for fiscal year 2025.

The data was released in WVCAN’s Statewide Data report, reflecting services from West Virginia’s 21 child advocacy centers, which provided official services in 48 of 55 counties. A child advocacy center provides a safe, child-friendly facility where child protection, criminal justice and child treatment professionals work together to investigate abuse, hold offenders accountable and help children heal.

The CAC at HFCH served 313 new children from Cabell and Wayne counties in 2025, which is nearly 10% higher than in 2024. 

Some of the highlights from the CAC’s report include:

• 70% of children served were there because of allegations of sexual abuse
• 65% of children served were under the age of 12
• The vast majority of alleged offenders were someone the child knew
• 14% of children served had at least one reported or suspected disability

“Each number represents a child and a family who trusted us during one of the most difficult moments of their lives,” said Angela Seay, coordinator of the Child Advocacy Center. “Serving 10% more children this past year reinforces both the growing need for these services and our commitment to providing a safe, supportive place where children can be heard, protected and begin to heal.”

The CAC expanded services to Mason County last year, thanks in part to grants from the West Virginia First Foundation and the Pallottine Foundation of Huntington.

The report from WVCAN includes data on victim and alleged offender demographics, reported versus disclosed abuse, services provided, criminal justice response, and a breakdown of child advocacy center income. The statewide data report can be found at www.wvcan.org.