These highlights are based on responses from the
States to the 1997 Summary Data Component. The italicized
highlights are the findings required by the Child Abuse Prevention
and Treatment Act, as amended in 1996, to be included in all annual
State data reports to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Because this is the first year that many of these data items have
been required, not all States were, able to provide data on every
item. Results for items responded to by nine or fewer States have
not been reported in the highlights.
Services to Prevent Child Maltreatment
Child abuse and neglect prevention programs are designed to increase parental childrearing competence and knowledge of the developmental stages of childhood.
- Thirty-one States reported that 636,079 families received preventive services, and, of these States, 28 reported that 716,512 children received preventive services.
Child Protective Services Investigations
The role of the Child Protective Services (CPS) agency includes receiving reports alleging that a child or children have been maltreated, determining whether such reports should be investigated or not, conducting an investigation or an assessment to determine whether a child has been maltreated or is at risk of maltreatment, and deciding whether to take any further action on behalf of protecting the child.
- More than half of child abuse and neglect reports were received from professionals; more than a quarter were received from other relatives, friends and neighbors, parents, and alleged victims; and one-fifth were received from anonymous or unknown sources, other sources, and alleged perpetrators. (42 States)
- Forty-five States reported that nearly 3 million children were alleged victims of maltreatment. The national rate of children who were reported was 42.0 children per 1,000 children in the population.
- Approximately 19,000 workers were responsible for screening, intake, investigation,and assessment of reports. (38 States) About 10,000 workers were responsible for screening and intake. (24 States)
- The average annual workload of CPS investigation and assessment workers was 81 investigations. (14 States)
- Six States provided data on the average response time with respect to the initial investigation of reports.
- One-third of investigations resulted in a disposition of either substantiated or indicated child maltreatment. More than half resulted in a finding that child maltreatment was not substantiated. Ten percent of investigations had no finding or an "other" finding. (46 States) Four States provided data on the number of children in unsubstantiated reports that were determined to be intentionally false.
- Three-fifths of substantiated or indicated reports were from professional sources--legal, medical, social service, or education. (16 States)
Child Maltreatment Victims: Who Are They?
Victims of maltreatment are children who have been the subjects of
allegations of abuse or neglect that have been substantiated or
indicated by a CPS agency.
- Based on data from 44 States, it was estimated that there were approximately 984,000 victims of maltreatment nationwide, a decrease from more than 1 million victims in 1996. The rate of victimization was 13.9 per 1,000 children.
- More than half of all victims suffered neglect, while almost a quarter suffered physical abuse. Twelve percent of the victims were sexually abused. Victims of psychological abuse, medical neglect, and "other" types of maltreatment accounted for less than 11 percent each. (43 States)
- Infants were the largest single-year age group of maltreatment victims, at 7 percent. (40 States)
- Excluding victims classified as “other ” or "unknown," sixty-seven percent of all victims were white; 30 percent were African-American; 3 percent were American Indian/Alaska Native; and 1 percent were Asian/Pacific Islander. (40 States)
- The proportion of victims that was Hispanic was 13 percent, compared to 19 percent of the population. (35 States)
- Seven States provided data on the numbers of child victims who, in the past 5 years, had received family preservation services; nine States provided data on the numbers who had been reunified with their families.
Service Responses
Some of the children referred to CPS agencies received services in addition to investigation or assessment. Some were directed to community services for counseling or information, and others received ongoing child welfare services.
- Based on data from 32 States, almost half of victims received post-investigation services. Of these States, 28 reported that two-fifths did not receive services.
- A victim, on average, received post-investigation services 56.0 days after CPS received the maltreatment report. (10 States)
- Sixteen percent of victims were removed from the home. (31 States) Two percent of children with unsubstantiated reports were removed. (14 States)
- About one-fifth of victims received court actions. (26 States) More than 90 percent of victims who received court actions had court-appointed representatives. (12 States)
- Two States provided data on the number of out-of-court contacts between the court-appointed representatives and the victims.
Fatalities
Child fatality estimates are based primarily on fatalities of abuse and neglect victims known to CPS agencies and fatalities of victims not previously reported as abused or neglected.
- Forty-one States reported 967 child maltreatment fatalities, which were extrapolated to a national estimate of 1,197.
- Children younger than age 4 accounted for more than three-quarters of all fatalities. (16 States)
- Two percent of all fatalities occurred while the victim was in foster care. (31 States)
Perpetrators
Perpetrators are persons who have caused or knowingly allowed child maltreatment.
- Three-quarters of perpetrators of child maltreatment were parents, and an additional tenth were other relatives. (39 States)
- Almost two-thirds of perpetrators were female, and four-fifths of perpetrators were younger than age 40. (16 States)
- Male perpetrators were associated with three-quarters of sexual abuse victims, while female perpetrators were associated with four-fifths of medical neglect victims. (16 States)
