Abuse Type Distribution

Here is a summary of the abuse types represented in these reports:

• Medical Neglect - Medical neglect occurs when there is the failure by the caretaker to obtain and/or follow through with a complete regimen of medical, mental or dental care for a condition which if untreated could result in illness or developmental delays pursuant to § 63.2-100 of the Code of Virginia
• Mental Abuse/Neglect - Mental abuse or neglect occurs when a caretaker creates or inflicts, threatens to create or inflict, or allows to be created or inflicted upon such child a mental injury by other than accidental means or creates a substantial risk of impairment of mental functions.
• Physical Abuse - Physical abuse occurs when a caretaker creates or inflicts, threatens to create or inflict, or allows to be created or inflicted upon a child a physical injury by other than accidental means or creates a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or impairment of bodily functions, including, but not limited to, a child who is with his parent or other person responsible for his care either (i) during the manufacture or attempted manufacture of a Schedule I or II controlled substance or (ii) during the unlawful sale of such substance by that child’s parents or other person responsible for his care, where such manufacture, or attempted manufacture or unlawful sale would constitute a felony violation of § 18.2-248 of the Code of Virginia.
• Physical Neglect - Physical neglect occurs when there is the failure to provide food, clothing, shelter, or supervision for a child to the extent that the child's health or safety is endangered. This also includes abandonment and situations where the parent or caretaker's own incapacitating behavior or absence prevents or severely limits the performing of child caring tasks pursuant to § 63.2-100 of the Code of Virginia. This also includes a child under the age of 18 whose parent or other person responsible for his care knowingly leaves the child alone in the same dwelling as a person, not related by blood or marriage, who has been convicted of an offense against a minor for which registration is required as a violent sexual offender pursuant to § 9.1-902.
• Sexual Abuse - Sexual abuse occurs when there is any act of sexual exploitation or any sexual act upon a child in violation of the law which is committed or allowed to be committed by the child's parents or other persons responsible for the care of the child pursuant to § 63.2-100 of the Code of Virginia.
• Substance Exposed Infants - A valid Substance Exposed Infant case is a reason to suspect abuse/neglect as a result of a finding made by a healthcare provider within six weeks of the child's birth that the child was born affected by maternal substance abuse or is experiencing withdrawal symptoms resulting from in-utero drug exposure; or, within the first four years of life is diagnosed as having an illness, disease, or condition that is attributable to maternal abuse of a controlled substance during pregnancy; or has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder attributable to in-utero exposure to alcohol. (Reference: § 63.2-1509 B)
• Invalid - Not an abuse type. The number of reported cases that, after a preponderance of the evidence, it was determined not to meet the four criteria outlined in § 63.2-1508 of the Code of Virginia.

The primary source of the data is the Virginia Child Protective Services (CPS) case management system. The data was compiled from reports generated and provided to the Department by Local Departments of Social Services for the Virginia Localities/FIPs they serve. It is reported in accordance with the the Virginia Child Protection Accountability System (§ 63.2-1530).

The data displayed here is from the 2013 fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) onwards. For data prior to the 2013 fiscal year, please view the historical reports page.