NCJ Number
205102
Date Published
2004
Length
163 pages
Annotation
This report presents national data on child abuse and neglect known to child protective services (CPS) agencies in the United States during 2002.
Abstract
The 2002 national statistics are based on case-level data from 42 States, including the District of Columbia, and aggregate data from the remaining States. The data were collected and analyzed through the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS). NCANDS is a federally sponsored effort that collects and analyzes annual data on child abuse and neglect submitted voluntarily by the States and the District of Columbia. For calendar year 2002, an estimated 1,800,000 referrals that alleged child abuse or neglect were accepted by State and local child protective services agencies for investigation or assessment. The referrals involved more than 3 million children; of these, approximately 896,000 children were found to be victims of child abuse or neglect. The rate of victimization per 1,000 children in the national population declined from 13.4 children in 1990 to 12.3 children in 2002. More than 60 percent of the child victims were found to have been neglected by their parents or other caregivers. Almost 20 percent had been physically abused, 10 percent had been sexually abused, and 7 percent had been emotionally maltreated. In addition, almost 20 percent were associated with "other" types of maltreatment based on specific State laws and policies. Children ages birth to 3 years had the highest rates of victimization at 16.0 per 1,000 children. Girls were slightly more likely to be victims than boys. American-Indian or Alaska-Native and African-American children had the highest rates of victimization when compared to their representation in the national population. More than one-half of all reports that alleged child abuse or neglect were made by such professionals as educators, law enforcement and legal personnel, social services personnel, medical personnel, mental health personnel, child day-care workers, and foster-care providers. In 2002, an estimated 1,400 children died as a result of abuse or neglect. Three-fourths of these children were younger than 4 years old, 12 percent were 4-7 years old, 6 percent were 8-11 years old, and 6 percent were 12-17 years old. Infant boys had the highest rate of fatalities. More than 80 percent of perpetrators were parents. Women comprised a larger percentage of all perpetrators than men. Nearly 29 percent of all perpetrators of sexual abuse were other relatives. Approximately 59 percent of victims and 31 percent of nonvictims received services as a result of an investigation or assessment. Services included both in-home and foster-care services. Almost one-fifth of child victims were placed in foster care. 13 figures, 42 tables, and appended required CAPTA data items, glossary, data submissions and CAF data elements, State commentary, and a reader survey