STATISTICS: CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, CALENDAR YEAR 2004

In Georgia:

• 101,563 reports were made to the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS), 16% of these reports were screened out and not entered into the data system or investigated by DFCS
• 85,562 of these reports were entered into the system
• 30,951 (36%) of the entered reports were substantiated, representing 51,717 child victims

• There are 3,000,000 reports of child abuse and neglect each year – 12.3 children in 1,000 are abused.

• 88% of child maltreatment occurred in the victim’s home
• 83% of the maltreaters were the child’s biological parent
• 13% of the maltreaters were a non-biological parent, other relative, or live-in boyfriend or girlfriend of the parent
• 81% of the substantiated incidents of child abuse are neglect
• 10% of the substantiated abuse are physical abuse
• 4% of the substantiated abuse are sexual abuse
• 10% of victims are under the age of one year
• 19% of victims are age 1 to 3 years
• 19% of victims are age 4-6 years

• Children who are victims of child abuse and neglect are:

• 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile
• 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult
• 30% more likely to commit violent crimes

(Source: Ga. Department of Human Resources, Division of Family and Children Services

Georgia’s 2004 rate of substantiated victims of child abuse is 22.5 per 1000 children.

More details and individual county statistics for Georgia can be found by going to:
www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov , DFCS 2004 Statistical Information, click “more”, then select “Protective Services Data Systems Annual Reports”

Nationally:

• $94 billion: the estimated annual cost resulting from child abuse and neglect (Source: Prevent Child Abuse America, 2001)
• more than 4 children die each day as a result of child abuse in the home
• 78.7% of the children who die are younger than four years of age
• 906,000 children were victims of substantiated abuse and neglect in 2003 (Source: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services)
• More national data about the welfare of children and the incidence of child abuse is available at http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/ and www.aecf.org/kidscount/

WE MUST LOOK BEYOND STATISTICS IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS CHILD MALTREATMENT.

A national survey by Child Help USA estimates that 2/3 of suspected child abuse is not reported.

Research shows that most child sexual abuse (nearly 85%) is never reported. (Hanson et al, “Factors Related to the Reporting of Childhood Sexual Assault” 1999.)

This information has significant implications for the role of individuals, families, and communities for the prevention of child abuse.

Since most child maltreatment is not reported, and much of what is reported is not substantiated, the child welfare system and treatment must not be our primary response to address child abuse.

All of us must learn how to recognize when there may be risk for harm to children and know how to offer support and assistance before child abuse occurs. Prevention means understanding the conditions that make children vulnerable and taking the action necessary to improve those conditions. Preventing child abuse means strengthening the ability of parents and communities to care for their children’s health and well-being.

*The information on this page was borrowed from www.PreventChildAbuse.org

ü      Make Contributions – Your financial support ensures that the Rainbow House will always be here for the “children of need” in our community.

ü      In-kind Donations-By supporting Rainbow House through donations you are playing a direct role in the treatment and prevention of child abuse.

ü      Volunteer – By volunteering you can help our dedicated and passionate staff carry out the mission of Rainbow House by caring for the child victims of abuse, abandonment or neglect.