Welcome to The Children and Family Services Home Area

Did You Know?

1. In 2002, Wicomico County averaged 47.8 reports of child abuse for every 1,000 children - twice that of Maryland's average 23.8 reports.
2. The WCAC investigates over 1,000 cases of child abuse each year.
3. Children most at risk of being maltreated are younger children.
4. Infants comprise 38% of all fatalities attributed to child maltreatment. Children ages 1-5 make up another 40%.
5. The likelihood of a child who has been abused being arrested increases 53% for juveniles, and 38% for adults. Of those arrests, 77% are females. Overall, 38% of the arrests are for violent crimes.
6. 80% of all juveniles incarcerated have a history of child abuse

Community Response to Child Abuse

No single agency can meet all the needs of maltreated children and their families. Within our Child Advocacy Center, social workers, law enforcement officers, prosecutors and mental health employees act as a team to reduce trauma for young victims and their families. By working together and combining the efforts of each of our agencies, the Wicomico Child Advocacy Center is able to provide:

1. more immediate and comprehensive follow-up to child abuse reports
2. medical and mental health referrals
3. a reduction in the number of interviews a child must endure
4. an increase in successful prosecutions and
5. consistent support for child victims and non-offending family members.