July 1, 2009– June 30, 2010
Source: Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) - 1

How many children were reported as victims of abuse or neglect in Virginia?
During July 2009-June 2010 there were 48,915 children reported as possible victims of abuse and/or neglect in
35,853 reports accepted by Virginia’s city and county departments of social services.

What were the outcomes of these reports?
There were 6,234 children in founded investigations. Founded means that a review of the facts gathered during an investigation met the preponderance of the evidence standard.  There were 8,187 children involved in unfounded investigations.  There were 34,185 children were involved in reports that received a family assessment. This means that a Child Protective Services worker completed a family services needs assessment with these families and developed a written safety plan if needed.

How many children died as a result of child abuse/neglect?
During July 2009-June 2010, there were 78 completed investigations* of child deaths due to abuse or neglect.
45 children died as a result of abuse or neglect and 41 of these children were age 4 years or younger.

What were the types of maltreatment in founded investigations?
In some reports, more than one type of maltreatment may have occurred. Of all the instances of maltreatment in completed founded investigations:

• 55.31% of the maltreatment was due to physical neglect, a failure to provide food, clothing, shelter or supervision to the child to the extent that the child’s health was endangered.
• 25.86% of the maltreatment was due to physical abuse.
• 13.39% of the maltreatment was due to sexual abuse.
• 2.05% of the maltreatment was due to medical neglect.
• 2.10% of the maltreatment was due to mental abuse/neglect.

Who were the children in founded investigations?
AGE****The age of 4.3% of the victims was unknown.

• 31.35% of all victims in founded investigations were children younger than 4.
• 41.32% of all victims were children aged 4 -11.
• 23.1% of all victims were children aged 12-17.

RACE***
• 65.46% of all victims were white.
• 32.20% of all victims were black.
• 1.35% all victims were Asian.
***The race of 6.23% of the victims was American Indian, Native Hawaiian or unknown.