U.S. Administration on Children, Youth and Families
This latest annual government report documenting child maltreatment figures shows a continued decline in child abuse and neglect, down to 772,000 instances – or 10.3 per 1,000 children – in 2008 from 794,000 in 2007. This is the lowest victimization rate in five years.
Based on National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System compilations of all case level data on children investigated or assessed by a Child Protective Services agency, this report shows that of 3.3 million CPS referrals, roughly 24 percent led to confirmed cases of abuse or neglect of at least one child.
Just as in 2007, the highest prevalence of abuse or neglect was found in the youngest age group – from birth to 1 year – at a rate of 21.7 victims per 1,000 children. Also similar to previous years, the majority of the cases involved child neglect (71.1 percent of victims) while 16.1 percent suffered physical abuse.
This report coincides with other recent research showing a national decline in child maltreatment, including the National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Free, 182 pages. Contact: (202) 205-8625, http://www.acf.hhs.gov.
