Resources for Teachers.
Mandatory Reporting Info
Teachers play a vital role in child abuse detection, prevention, and reporting. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 52% of all identified child abuse cases classified as causing harm to the child are identified by school personnel. That means teachers and other school staff are responsible for recognizing and reporting more instances of child maltreatment than hospitals, police departments, and the general public combined. As a teacher, you are likely a child’s best hope for intervention.
It’s important to note that all teachers in West Virginia are mandatory reporters under WV Code §49-2-803. In fact, most people who work with children are classified as mandatory reporters under WV law — including coaches, camp counselors, and members of the clergy.
Being a mandatory reporter means that you are required by law to report all reasonable suspicions of child abuse or neglect to DHHR within 24 hours. Reporting to a supervisor or school administrator DOES NOT fulfill your legal duty as a mandatory reporter. You MUST file a direct report by calling the WV Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 800-352-6513.
For cases of serious physical abuse or sexual abuse/assault, you must also contact contact State Police and any law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to investigate. If you have questions about mandatory reporting requirements, please refer to our FAQ page about Reporting Child Abuse in WV.
National Helplines
Below are some helplines available for victims and people in crisis, organized by topic. Church pastors, volunteers, leaders, and members may need to call these hotlines themselves or pass them along to others in need of help.
Alcohol and Drugs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration: 800-662-4357
Child Abuse
Childhelp: 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453)
Child Sexual Abuse
Darkness to Light: 866-FOR-LIGHT (866-367-5444)
Child Welfare
Child Welfare Information Gateway: 800-394-3366 or live chat on website
Crime Victims
Crime Connect Hotline: 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846)
Crisis (Any Kind)
Crisis Text Line: Text “LISTEN” to 741-741
Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800−799−7233
Human Trafficking
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 or text “Be Free” to 233733
Missing or Abducted Children
Child Find of America 800-I-AM-LOST (800-426-5678)
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: 800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678)
Parents
National Parent Helpline: 855-4-A-PARENT (855-427-2736)
Poison
National Capital Poison Control Center: 800-222-1222
Pregnancy
American Pregnancy Helpline: 866-942-6466
Option Line: 800-712-HELP or text “HELPLINE” to 313131
Crisis Pregnancy Helpline: 800-672-2296
National Life Center: 800-848-LOVE
Runaways
National Runaway Safeline: 800-786-2929
Sexual Assault
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673)
Suicide
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255)
SHIELD School Assemblies
SHIELD offers statewide training to support the WV Dept. of Education’s body safety education and sexual abuse prevention mandates.
With the increase in child exploitation and other online harms, middle and high school students need the tools to navigate high-risk situations, in-person or online. SHIELD's school assemblies provide age-appropriate, positive, engaging content to empower students and connect survivors to resources and support.
We partner with law enforcement, CPS, Child Advocacy Centers, and other community partners to show students their local network of support. Every presentation features the voices of WV survivors of child abuse working to make this the safest state in the nation for children.
We also provide training and support to schools on the dynamics of child abuse and mandated reporting before presenting to students.
Recommended Reading
“What Teachers and Child Care Providers Can Do to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse” by Stop It Now!
“7 Ways Teachers Can Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse” by Defend Innocence
“The Role of Educators in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect” by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
“Being the Trusted Adult” by Darkness to Light
“Protecting Our Children From Abuse and Neglect” by the American Psychological Association
Trauma-Informed Teaching
Back2Back presents trauma care trainings across the country. You can find a list of scheduled training on the Back2Back website or sign up for their email newsletter to get tips and resource delivered straight to your inbox.
The Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU has posted a list of articles and online videos related to its Trauma-Based Relational Intervention (TRBI) model. TRBI an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. You can also buy digital or DVD copies of various TBRI lectures online.
The Family and Children’s Trust Fund of Virginia has several publications related to trauma:
Other helpful videos for understanding the effects of childhood trauma include the following:
“How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across the Lifetime” (TED Talk by Nadine Burke Harris)
“Complex Trauma: Understanding and Treatment” (lecture by Dr. Diane Langberg)
“Child Advocacy Studies: Incorporating ACE Into Undergraduate and Graduate Programs” (presentation by Victor Veith)
“Like a Footprint in Wet Cement: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experience Research” (webinar by Victor Veith)
Training Programs and Online Resources
The Stewards of Children training by Darkness to Light is available online for $10 (or $25 for Stewards Plus training).
Check out the Kidpower Child Abuse and Bullying Prevention Resources for Schools.
Childhelp has compiled a list of Child Abuse Education & Prevention Resources.
Training videos and tests for elementary, middle school, and high school educators are available online from Face It.
For a list of resources related to human trafficking, visit the West Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force website.
WVCAN and the WV Department of Education are working on an Erin’s Law Abuse Prevention Training Series. The first module features footage of Amber Higgins sharing her story at a SHIELD school assembly. All 3 modules can be found on the WVCAN website.
Local Resources
Prevent Suicide WV: 304-415-5787
WV Child Abuse Hotline: 800-352-6513
WV Child Advocacy Network (WVCAN)
WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence
WV Crime Victim Compensation Fund: 304-347-4850
WV Foundation for Rape and Information Services (WVFRIS)
State Coordinator: 304-366-9500
WV Handle With Care Apps
For a comprehensive list of local, state, and federal resources, check out the web and mobile apps available from the West Virginia Center for Children’s Justice.
