Updated Trends in Child Maltreatment

In the past two decades, the number of maltreated children in the U.S. has fallen steadily, according to a report by the Crimes Against Children Research Center. Overall substantiated child maltreatment declined 3 percent from 2007 to 2008, the last year for which data are available. This decline includes a 6 percent decline in sexual abuse.

According to the report, sexual abuse has declined 58 percent from 1992 to 2008, while physical abuse has declined 55 percent. Neglect has declined a comparatively small 10 percent since 1992. There is no consensus in the child maltreatment field that explains why sexual abuse and physical abuse have declined so steeply. Sustained economic improvement, increases in the numbers of law enforcement and child protection personnel, more aggressive prosecution and incarceration policies and growing public awareness about the problems are all cited as possible factors contributing the dramatic downward trend in child maltreatment.

The data are from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, which began compiling statistics from child-protection agencies in 1990. Since the statistics are based on “substantiated,” or state-investigated, cases, the researchers also looked at the Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse to confirm findings. NIS-4 uses consistent definitions of maltreatment and compiles reports directly from professionals in schools and other community agencies.

The report was released in August 2010 by the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. The Crimes Against Children Research Center features research about crimes like child abduction, homicide, rape, assault and physical and sexual abuse.
 

Read the report (pdf).