NCJ Number
112556
Date Published
1986
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed data for reported incidences of child abuse in Kentucky between July 1977 and June 1984.
Abstract
Categories of child abuse include physical, sexual, mental, emotional, and negligent. In 1984 there were 2,410 confirmed cases of sexual abuse in Kentucky compared to 662 in 1978. Physical abuse rose from 2,330 to 7,923; mental and emotional abuse went up from 638 to 2,615; and neglect increased from 8,869 to 23,864 during the 6-year period. The majority of child abuse reports originated with relatives, friends and neighbors with only a third coming from educational and/or medical institutions, social service agencies or law enforcement officers. Findings also indicate that preschoolers are the children most subject to maltreatment; boys are more likely to be neglected; while girls are more apt to be victims of sexual, mental and emotional abuse. Tabular data.