THE NATIONAL SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM:

How many children are abused and neglected in the U.S.?

• Each week, child protective services throughout the US receive more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect.
• In 2002, 2.6 million reports concerning 4.5 million children were made.
• 67% of these cases required investigation and found that approx 896,000 children were found to have been victims, an average of more than 2,450 per day.
• 60% were neglect, 20% physical abuse, 10% sexual abuse and 7% emotional abuse.
• An average of nearly four children die every day as a results of abuse or neglect.

Who is more likely to be abused or neglected?

• No group of children is immune.
• Boys and girls are about equally likely to be abused or neglected.
• In 2002, victims were: 54% White, 26% African American, 11% Hispanic, 2% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 1% Asian-Pacific Islanders.
• Children of all ages experience abuse and neglect but the youngest are most vulnerable. In 2002, 76% of the abuse-related deaths were younger than 4.

Who reports child abuse and neglect?

In 2002, 57% of all reports were made from professionals who came in contact with the child (teachers 16%, legal, law, criminal justice personnel 16%, social service workers 13%, and medical personnel 8%).

In 2002, 44% of the reports came from nonprofessional sources, such as parents, other relatives, friends and neighbors. Approx 10% came from anonymous sources.

We all share a responsibility to help keep children safe as we take steps to prevent abuse from occurring in the first place. For more information about recognizing child abuse & neglect, see: http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/factsheets/sign.cfm

 

Psychological Services of St. Augustine, Inc.

Main Office: 1100-1 South Ponce de Leon Boulevard, St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Phone (904) 824-7733 Fax (904) 829-9768

Southlake Office: 300 Kingsley Lake Dr, Suite 403 St Augustine, FL 32092

pssa@pssacare.com