NCJ Number
142671
Date Published
1993
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This is the first year's report (fiscal 1992) of a 2- year study of juvenile problems/child abuse in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Abstract
There were 6,000 hotline calls that reported suspected child abuse; 3,000 cases were investigated, involving 4,000 alleged victims. Of the cases investigated, 1,043 confirmed or found reason to suspect child abuse. Of the cases confirmed or suspected, 41.3 percent involved physical abuse, 39.8 percent involved neglect, and 14.4 percent involved sexual abuse. The legal action in the cases confirmed or suspected consisted of no court action in 90.2 percent of the cases, 72-hour action in 2.7 percent of the cases, custody by agency in 1.6 percent of the cases, and a protective order in 2.5 percent of the cases. Agencies that are substantially involved in reporting or investigating and responding to child abuse allegations are Child Protective Services, the public schools, Mental Health/Community Services Board, the Police Department, the Commonweatlh Attorneys' Office, and the judicial system. Child-abuse-and- neglect prevention programs are described for the schools, the Department of Human Development (including Child Protection Services), and the Mental Health/Community Services Board. Operational barriers common to agencies are discussed, along with new State legislation that will impact the future of responses to child abuse and neglect. 34 references