Crimes against Children: Physical and Sexual Abuse
The Family Violence Division (FVD) is responsible for the prosecution of both physical and sexual child abuse. Child abuse is generally defined as any act or conduct that endangers or impairs a child's physical or emotional health or development. Child abuse includes:
•Any damage done to a child that cannot be reasonably explained and is often represented by an injury or series of injuries appearing to be intentional or deliberate in nature.
•Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.
In an effort to better serve the community and specific families involved, the FVD assesses the child abuse cases we encounter in a coordinated manner with multiple other county agencies and organizations.