School employees, coaches, and volunteers are considered mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect under West Virginia law. If you suspect a child is being abused on neglected you must file a report. Information on how to file a report can be found below. Remember, when in doubt, shout it out!

Centralized Intake for Abuse and Neglect

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To make a report of abuse or neglect, follow the automated prompts at:

                  1-800-352-6513

What information do I need to provide when calling Centralized Intake?

• Demographic information of the victim(s) and household members

• Description of the suspected abuse or neglect

• Information about the presence of protective caregivers

• Information about the perpetrators access to the victim

• Description of general functioning

• Potential safety threats in the home/family to first responders such as domestic violence, weapons, vicious animals, dangerous people, etc.

Mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect

Anyone may report suspected abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse or sexual assault, or observing a child being subjected to conditions that are likely to result in abuse or neglect. These circumstances should be reported to the Department of Health and Human Resources immediately and not more than 24 hours after suspecting this abuse or neglect.

However, under WV Code §49-2-803, certain persons are mandated reporters and required to make a report not more than 24 hours after suspecting this abuse or neglect. These persons are:

• Any medical, dental or mental health professional

• Christian Science practitioner

• Religious healer

• School teacher and other school personnel

• Social service worker

• Child care or foster care worker

• Emergency medical services personnel

• Peace officer or law-enforcement official

• Humane officer

• Member of the clergy

• Circuit court judge

• Family court judge

• Employee of the Division of Juvenile Services

• Magistrate

• Youth camp administrator or counselor

• Employee, coach or volunteer of an entity that provides organized activities for children

• Commercial film or photographic print processor

Mandated reporter trainings can be scheduled for child abuse and/or neglect.

Report child abuse and neglect NOW under the following circumstances:

In any case where a mandated reporter believes the child suffered serious physical abuse, the reporter shall immediately make a report to the West Virginia State Police and any law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to investigate the report.

Also, any person over the age of 18 who receives information from a credible witness or observes any sexual abuse or sexual assault of a child, shall immediately and not more than 24 hours report the circumstances to the Department of Health and Human Resources and the West Virginia State Police or other law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to investigate the report.

If the reporter feels making a report of sexual abuse will expose himself or herself, the child, the reporter's children or other children in the subject's household to an increased threat of serious bodily injury, the individual may delay the report while he or she takes measures to remove himself or herself or the affected children from the perceived threat of additional harm. The individual must make the report as soon as practical after the threat of harm has been reduced.

Am I protected if I make a report?

Persons making a report in good faith are immune from civil and criminal liability under WV Code §49-2-810 for reports of child abuse or neglect and WV Code §9-6-12 for reports of adult abuse or neglect.

Failure to report penalty

Relating to Child Welfare Responsibilities

Under WV Code §49-2-812 any person, official or institution required by this article to report a case involving a child known or suspected to be abused or neglected, or required by section eight hundred nine to forward a copy of a report