NCJ Number
112569
Date Published
1984
Length
42 pages
Annotation
This analysis of data relating to maltreated children and their families in Jefferson County, Kentucky from fiscal year (FY) 1978 through FY 1981 reveals a sizeable increase in reports of abuse and neglect during the 4-year period and a dramatic rise in 1981.
Abstract
The primary source of information was the DSS-150 form completed by Department of Human Services workers within 48 hours after investigating allegations of child abuse or neglect. DSS-150 data were entered into an automated system starting with FY 1978. The study found 5,233 documented reports of child abuse and neglect during FY 1981, a 72 percent increase over FY 1978 and a 155 percent increase over FY 1979. The figure for FY 1981 suggests that almost 3 percent of all children in Jefferson County were reported as abused or neglected. The research also discovered that the primary source of child maltreatment reports is the community-at-large, although reports by professionals are more likely to be confirmed than those from friends and neighbors. In addition, physical abuse increased as a problem relative to the entire maltreatment picture. Almost half of all reports involved preschool children and over 10 percent were under 1 year. Recommendations, reporting forms, and tables.