Child Abuse Awareness Month Brings Focus to Reporting, Prevention in Warren County

April marks Child Abuse Awareness Month, and the Warren County Department of Social Services is encouraging residents to stay alert, speak up, and take advantage of local resources to protect children and support families.

Rachel Oden, Jasmine Sharp, and Elizabeth Keener of Warren County Child Protective Services join Mike McCool in the Royal Examiner studio to discuss Child Abuse Awareness Month, reporting resources, and prevention efforts.

Across the community, pinwheel displays have been placed to raise awareness.

“So, April is Child Abuse Awareness Month,” said Rachel Odon, Family Services Supervisor. “You’ll see plenty of gardens around town with pinwheels… the pinwheels are free, so bring them home, share them, spread them around, just to spread some awareness.”

Residents are also encouraged to participate in “Wear Blue Day” on April 10.

“On April 10th, the department is going to be wearing blue—Wear Blue Day—so we’re asking people to join us… to bring awareness.”

Local data reflects ongoing need

Child Protective Services continues to respond to a steady number of reports locally.

“So for Warren County, for the month of February, we had 66  Child Protection Services (CPS) calls that were called into our department,” Odon said. “Out of those 66 calls, we had 32 valid reports.”

A valid report must meet specific criteria.

“What it means to have a valid report means that it has to have a child under the age of 18… an alleged abuser who is in a caretaking role… it has to be in jurisdiction… and it has to meet the definition of abuse or neglect.”

However, officials stress that the public should not hesitate based on uncertainty.

“So what I tell people is don’t worry about if it meets the definition of abuse or neglect—just call it in.”

“If you see something, call us… and leave it up to us to decide if it needs a CPS response or not.”

Recognizing possible signs

While abuse is not always obvious, there are indicators community members can watch for.

“Some signs for physical abuse would be like suspicious bruising in locations that shouldn’t have bruising, like soft tissue,” Oden explained. “Obviously, kids are going to fall… but for neglect, it would be more like dirty clothes… dirt underneath their fingernails, matted hair.”

Officials emphasize that even when signs are unclear, reporting concerns can still make a difference.

“If you see something, say something… call it in.”

Reporting options available

There are several ways for residents to report suspected abuse or neglect.

“You can call our intake line during business hours… or you can use the mandated reporter portal… or the hotline,” Oden said.

Reports can also be made anonymously.

“You can be an anonymous caller.”

Certain professionals are legally required to report concerns, including educators, medical personnel, and law enforcement.

“Your mandated reporters are gonna be… the courts… school… law enforcement… hospital staff… child care… anybody who deals with a vulnerable population is generally gonna be a mandated reporter.”

Scope of the work

CPS workers handle a wide range of cases.

“I see a lot of things… from neglect to abuse, sexual abuse… all sorts of things,” Elizabeth Keener, Family Services Specialist, said. “It kind of varies day by day.”

In addition to investigations, the agency also reviews child fatalities.

Oden continued, “We also investigate any child death. So in the fiscal year for 2024, we had four here in Warren County.”

Focus on prevention

In addition to responding to reports, DSS is working to provide families with tools to prevent situations from escalating.

“We have started parenting classes here in Warren County. They’re completely free,” Oden said.

“It’s a six-week class… It’s at the library… every week on Thursdays for six weeks.”

“We urge people to sign up… It’s completely free.”

Infant safety reminder

Oden also highlighted the importance of safe sleep practices for infants.

“That safe sleep is important. ABCs—alone, back, crib… nothing around their faces.”

“We want to make sure that people are following safe sleep… any child under the age of three should be following the ABCs.”

Encouraging community action

As Child Abuse Awareness Month continues, DSS officials say community involvement is essential.

“If you see something, say something… call it in to those three different places.”

“Don’t worry about if it meets the definition… just call it in.”

How to report

• Local – 540-635-3430 ext. 3333
• https://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/cps/
• 804-786-8536

Anonymous reporting is available.

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