4/9/2026 – For Immediate Release
Richmond, Va. – Child sexual abuse remains a difficult but urgent issue, affecting 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys. A significant portion of these cases, an estimated 20 – 25 percent each year, involve children who exhibit problematic sexual behavior toward other children.
PSB occurs when a child engages in behavior that is developmentally inappropriate or harmful to another child. These cases often fall outside traditional systems of response. When the child who initiated the behavior is not a caregiver, Child Protective Services may not have jurisdiction, leaving law enforcement as the primary responder. As a result, many cases go unreported, inconsistently tracked or lack access to appropriate treatment.
The Family and Children’s Trust Fund of Virginia is working to change that.
“Problematic sexual behavior is treatable, and early intervention works,” said Nicole Poulin, executive director of FACT. “When children receive appropriate treatment, recidivism is extremely low. These are not children we should be losing in the system; they are children who need a coordinated, informed response.”
With a $110,000 investment, FACT supported the research, development and community-based rollout of a training program and toolkit designed to help localities better identify and respond to PSB cases. The effort builds on FACT’s earlier partnership with Justice 3D, which examined Virginia’s policies, protocols and legal framework.
That work included the development of statewide guidance released in 2023, identifying gaps in training, coordination, resources and system ownership. A central recommendation was increasing support and training for the multidisciplinary teams established in localities to respond to PSB cases.
These teams are intended to bring together law enforcement, Child Protective Services, child advocacy centers and other local partners to ensure cases are handled consistently, and children receive appropriate treatment and support. However, not all localities have teams as required by law.
The financial and human impact of early intervention is significant. Treatment for a child with problematic sexual behavior typically costs between $1,500 and $1,800 per child – compared to over $300,000 per year for a youth in the juvenile justice system, according to the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice. PSB treatment is usually provided for free to families.
Several Virginia localities, including Norfolk, Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield, have multidisciplinary approaches to PSB cases. In January 2026, FACT expanded this work by training additional communities across the Commonwealth.
Participating localities in the January 2026 training include:
- Alexandria
- Fluvanna
- Washington
- Representatives from several Shenandoah Valley communities: Augusta, Waynesboro and Staunton
FACT recognizes that PSB is not an easy topic to discuss. However, raising awareness is a critical step in ensuring children receive the help they need.
“These cases can be uncomfortable to talk about but avoiding the conversation only increases the risk that children fall through the cracks,” Poulin said. “With the right tools, training, and coordination, communities can respond in ways that protect all children and lead to better outcomes.”
About the Family and Children’s Trust Fund of Virginia
For 40 years, the Family and Children’s Trust Fund of Virginia (FACT) has advanced the prevention and treatment of family violence across the Commonwealth. As the only organization in Virginia addressing trauma and violence across the lifespan, FACT supports initiatives focused on child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, elder abuse, and related forms of family trauma. As a public-private partnership that does not receive state or federal tax dollars, FACT has the flexibility to invest in innovative solutions and direct its resources where they are needed most. Through grantmaking, research, convening and statewide leadership, FACT strengthens communities and works to prevent family violence before it begins.
For more information, visit www.fact.virginia.gov
Media Contact
Lori Crouch, APR
(757) 577- 2503
lori.crouch@integrityinsights.com
