A national study shows the number of serious injuries caused by child abuse has climbed over the last decade.
ABC News says, hospitalization for abuse-related injury rose 4.9 percent overall among children 18 and under over the 12-year span from 1997 through 2009.
Studies show sharp contrast
The research, conducted by Dr. John Leventhal and Julie Gaither, both of Yale University in New Haven, Conn., shows a stark difference in the rates of child abuse when compared to a recent study conducted child protective services. That reported showed a 55 percent decline in overall child abuse from 1992 to 2009.
Researchers believe how child abuse was defined and counted in each of these studies may explain the distinct difference.
Call for new programs
The Yale researchers say their study suggests a need for more education and prevention plans.
“Because there has been no decrease in the incidence of hospitalizations due to serious abuse in children, our results highlight the need to develop prevention programs that can reduce this significant morbidity (and mortality),” the investigators concluded.
National abuse statistics
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Studies show children of all ages are abused. Approximately 695,000 children were victims of maltreatment (unique instances).
- 47 states reported approximately 3.4 million children received preventative services from Child Protective Services agencies.
- Children younger than one year had the highest rate of victimization of 20.6 per 1,000 children in the population of the same age.
- Of the children who experienced maltreatment or abuse, over 78% experienced neglect; more than 17% were physically abused; just under 10% were sexually abused; approximately 8% were psychologically maltreated; just over 2% were medically neglected; and approximately 10% experienced other types of maltreatment.
- Nearly 80% of reported child fatalities as a result of abuse and neglect were caused by one or more of the child victim’s parents.
- Statistics provided by the National Children’s Alliance website.
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