Submitted photo Executive Director Margot Evick of the Randolph-Tucker Children’s Advocacy Center (RTCAC) addressed the Rotary Club of Elkins. Joining Evick is Elkins Rotary Club President Phillips Kolsun.

Randolph-Tucker Children’s Advocacy Center (RTCAC) Executive Director Margot Evick addressed the Rotary Club of Elkins. With its origin in 1987, the RTCAC is a safe, child-friendly facility where child protection, criminal justice, and child treatment professionals work together to investigate abuse in Randolph and Tucker Counties, hold offenders accountable, and help children heal. All services are aimed at reducing trauma so children and families may begin the healing process.

There are 21 child advocacy centers across the State of West Virginia, providing coverage for 51 of 55 counties.

“We have about four more counties we’re looking to get covered for all children,” commented Evick. Some of the centers are stand-alone, like Randolph-Tucker, while others are associated with other organizations such as a hospital or a larger community service organization.

The center’s staff works as a multidisciplinary team, coordinating with law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, mental health services and medical services.

“We respond to the allegations of abuse and neglect. Most often that looks like sexual abuse allegations but it’s also physical abuse, drug endangerment and witness to violence allegations,” said Evick.

Evick shared an anecdotal story about “Robin,” a child who experienced abuse. Before the creation of the Child Advocacy Center, Robin had to speak to many individuals, perhaps a teacher, a school principal, a nurse, the police, medical professionals, a child protection services investigator, lawyers, counselors and perhaps even more people.

“Robin may have had to tell this horrific story up to fifteen times,” said Evick.

With the creation of the child advocacy center, a child only needs to speak to one person, a forensic interviewer, to get the process started. The child can then meet with other members of the team, such as a therapist or medical provider.

The center sees approximately 120 new children per year. Referrals are made for child-focused therapy and necessary medical responses. The center partners with Youth Health Services, Valley Health Care, Centers Against Violence, St. George Medical Center and Davis Health Center to provide the necessary services.

“Typically, our family advocate is providing services to 477 children every six months. We have quite a high case load for our families,” said Evick.

One in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. More than half of the children referred to the center are for sexual abuse allegations, followed closely by physical abuse allegations. Last year, 23% of the children seen at the center were the subject of drug endangerment allegations while the nationwide average is 7%.

“Typically, about 30% of the children we see are for neglect or witness to violence. Maybe there’s domestic violence happening in the home or the families are using drugs and there’s also that neglect that’s happening,” said Evick.

Recent outcomes of active cases include criminal charges being filed in 11 cases with six indictments and eight convictions.

“They seem small, but these cases take a long time to get through court,” said Evick. “There’s not always physical evidence, even if they do get a physical exam. Law enforcement has to corroborate the statement the child makes at the center. The majority of cases do not come to us within 48 hours so there’s no physical evidence. There are no sheets, there’s no underwear, there’s not anything on the children’s bodies because it’s six months later or a couple of years later before they say anything.”

The center also offers child sexual abuse prevention services through the Child Protection Unit that operates in all pre-k, kindergarten and first grade classrooms in Randolph and Tucker County. In 2024, this unit saw 757 children in that program.

Members of the center’s staff participate in the state-wide task force that is focused on human trafficking. “At Randolph-Tucker we see about 3% of our children for allegations of human trafficking. We’re not seeing kids being stolen and taken somewhere else. What we see are parents allowing access to their child to get their bills paid or to get drugs. We see families allowing access to their child,” said Evick.

The WV Human Trafficking Task Force is working to raise awareness of the problem, ensure law enforcement are trained to identify and appropriately respond, as well as ensure coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement.

“At RTCAC we have been working with our MDIT to strengthen response and ensure victims of human trafficking are provided with evidence-based, trauma informed response,” said Evick.

Another concerning trend is online solicitation of children.

“Every child that’s come in lately has been solicited online. There are so many different apps and if there is a chat capacity, it is happening. Even if it’s a child-friendly, safe game that you think they are playing, like Fortnite or Roblox. There are so many things built into the games that aren’t keeping kids safe. It’s so important to make sure our children know what to do if somebody reaches out to them. If somebody asks them for a picture or personal information, what to do with that,” said Evick. “We need to report that person.”

A program that is offered to the community is Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children program, an evidence-informed, adult-focused presentation training solution for parents, communities and youth-serving organizations. This program offers training to teach participants how to protect children. Darkness to Light believes protecting children from sexual abuse is not only our moral duty, but the responsibility of every adult. Adult education is key to preventing child sexual abuse. “We aim to have about 50 people participate in that workshop each year,” commented Evick. “We would love to share more if possible.”

The Randolph Tucker Children’s Advocacy Center staff is dedicated to helping children in Randolph and Tucker counties heal from abuse. To make a gift to support the Randolph-Tucker Child Advocacy Center or for more information about the Center, visit the center’s website at www.rtcac.org, visit the center’s Facebook page “Randolph/Tucker Children’s Advocacy Center” or call Evick at 304.630.2214.

Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club’s Facebook page — Rotary Club of Elkins — or contact 2025-2026 club president Phillips Kolsun at phillipskolsun@gmail.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.