Child Abuse Prevention efforts raise awareness about the importance of healthy environments for children and families. In the City of Alexandria, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) leads efforts to support families, prevent abuse, and promote child well-being.
If you’ve passed by 4850 Mark Center Dr. during the month of April, you may have noticed a garden of blue pinwheels out front. These pinwheels are a national symbol of childhood hope, joy, and resilience. The pinwheel display honored children impacted by abuse and neglect and served as a public reminder of our community’s commitment to prevention and protection.
Child Abuse: A Closer Look at the Numbers
Child abuse and neglect remain pressing issues. According to the National Children’s Alliance, among founded cases:
- 74% of children in founded cases suffered from neglect
- 17% experienced physical abuse
- 11% were victims of sexual abuse
- 0.2% were subjected to sex trafficking
These statistics reflect the urgency of continued prevention efforts to safeguard children’s well-being.
Services Offered by DCHS
The City of Alexandria provides a range of services through DCHS aimed at protecting children and supporting families.
- Child Protective Services (CPS): Investigates reports of suspected abuse and neglect.
Report concerns by calling 703.746.5800 or the Virginia State Hotline at 1.800.552.7096
- Child Welfare Programs: Include foster care, kinship care, and parenting support.
Explore Child Welfare Services
- Behavioral Health for Children and Families: Offers trauma counseling, support for emotional and behavioral issues, and resources for family stability.
Access to Behavioral Health Services
- Prevention Education: The Center for Alexandria’s Children and Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) provide training and resources to raise awareness and teach early intervention strategies.
- Prevention and Early Intervention Resources
Allegations
DCHS works to ensure that all reports are assessed thoroughly and fairly—balancing the need to protect children with the rights and dignity of families. In fiscal year 2024, the City of Alexandria received 1,543 allegations, 459 of which warranted a CPS response. CPS achieved a 100% success rate for absence of recurring abuse of children, which indicates that over the prior two years, 100% of children with a previous founded disposition of abuse/neglect who received services from CPS did not experience another finding of maltreatment. CPS also conducted 14 child abuse prevention trainings including mandated reporting and CPS procedures, educating 746 community members.
Community Involvement & Reporting
Everyone in the community plays a role in keeping children safe. In Alexandria, schools and youth programs account for roughly 30% of abuse reports, showing how vital trusted adults are in recognizing and reporting valid concerns.
If you suspect abuse or neglect, report it. Early intervention can protect a child from harm and connect families to the support they need.
Commit individually and as a community to protecting children. Whether through prevention training, reporting concerns, or simply displaying a blue pinwheel. Every action counts. Visit us online for details about Child Welfare Services, including signs of child abuse and what to expect when reporting.
Visit us online for details about Child Welfare Services, including signs of child abuse and what to expect when reporting.