One in every 10 children will be a victim of sexual abuse by their 18th birthday. Based on data from the CDC, a conservative estimate for the cost of maltreatment in West Virginia was over $775 Million in 2019.
The Cornerstone Child Advocacy Center exists to change those numbers and lead the fight against the cycle of child abuse through a stronger, more approachable model.
Over the past year, we’ve made significant progress by providing 75 forensic interviews, initiating 38 new therapy cases, and referring children in our community to medical exams. Victim support and advocacy was provided 151 times. On-site case coordination services were provided 103 times.
➤ 96% of victims at WV CAC’s knew their abuser. Abuse is a crime of secrecy.
➤ 100% of children seen at the Cornerstone CAC knew their alleged offender.
➤ 50% of cases reported to WV CAC’s were sexual abuse.
➤ 71% of children who visited the Cornerstone CAC due to reports or concerns of sexual abuse.
➤ Of the 100 cases of sexual abuse reported to the Cornerstone Child Advocacy Center last year, 35% resulted in a disclosure of sexual abuse by the child.
➤ 25% increase in the number of new children served at Cornerstone since last year.
➤ 24% of children served at Cornerstone were too young to attend grade school (age 6 or under).
➤ Cornerstone Child Advocacy Center served 141 new children.
➤ WV CAC’s are seeing 82% more cases than in 2009. Because our model works, more children are coming to our CAC.
➤ 75 forensic interviews
➤ 38 new children received therapy sessions
➤ 12 children received medical exams
➤ 100% agreed that their child felt safe at West Virginia CACs.
➤ 100% said if they knew anyone else with a situation like their family was facing, they would tell that person about West Virginia CACs.
➤ The CAC model saved taxpayers in our community $69,102 in investigative expenses this year.
➤ If the Cornerstone CAC hadn’t intervened, the estimated lifetime costs of abuse for the children we served last year would have been $6,510,372.