Phoenix AZ Child Neglect Attorney

How Prevalent is Child Abuse in the United States?

The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) reported an estimated 1,400 child fatalities in 2002, the most recent year on record. This translates to a rate of 1.98 children per 100,000 children in the general population.

NCANDS defines "child fatality" as the death of a child caused by an injury resulting from abuse or neglect, or where abuse or neglect were contributing factors. Many researchers and practitioners believe child fatalities due to abuse and neglect are underreported.

Recent studies in Colorado and North Carolina have estimated as many as 50 to 60 percent of deaths resulting from abuse or neglect is not recorded. These studies indicate that neglect is the most under-recorded form of fatal maltreatment. Their parents or other caregivers neglected more than 60 percent of child victims. Almost 20 percent were physically abused, 10 percent were sexually abused and 7 percent were emotionally maltreated. In addition, almost 20 percent were associated with "other" types of maltreatment based on specific State laws and policies. A child could be a victim of more than one type of maltreatment.

-- From the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information

Maltreated children are at higher risk of arrest, at a younger age, with more significant and repeated criminal involvement. They can be expected to commit nearly twice as many crimes as children raised in a healthier environment. (An Update on the “Cycle of Violence”, U.S. Department of Justice, February 2001)

Children with disabilities are, on average, more than three times more likely to be maltreated than other children. (Congressional Testimony by the American Association of University Affiliated Programs, August 2001)

In addition to disabilities being a contributing factor to maltreatment, maltreatment causes disabilities in thousands of children each year. (ibid)

The total annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States is over $94 billion. (Prevent Child Abuse America; Suzette From 2001)

More on Child Abuse:

Signs of Child Abuse
Child Abuse in Arizona