How many children were reported as victims of maltreatment in Virginia?
From July 2009 through June 2010, 48,915 children were reported as possible victims of abuse and/or neglect in 35,853 completed reports to Virginia's city and county departments of social services.
Were all these reports founded?
Founded means that a review of the facts met the legal criteria for abuse. 6,234 children were victims in founded reports of child abuse and/or neglect. In addition, 34,185 children were involved in reports that received a family assessment. This means that a Child Protective Services worker completed a family services needs assessment with these families and developed a written safety plan if needed.
How many children died as a result of child abuse/neglect?
44 children in Virginia died from injuries attributable to abuse and/or neglect in fiscal year 2010 - 40 of these children (91%) were aged 4 or under.
Who were the children?
- 31% of all victims of child abuse and neglect were children younger than age 4. 41% of all victims were children ages 4 through 11.
- 65% of all victims were white, 32% were black, and 1.35% were Asian.
What were the types of maltreatment?
In some reports, more than one type of abuse may have occurred. Of all the instances of maltreatment in completed founded investigations:
- 55.31% of the maltreatment was due to physical neglect, a failure to provide food, clothing, shelter or supervision to the child to the extent that the child's health was endangered.
- 25.86% of the maltreatment was due to physical abuse.
- 13.39% of the maltreatment was due to sexual abuse.
- 2.05% was due to medical neglect.
- 2.10% of the maltreatment was due to mental abuse/neglect
Who are the abusers?
Abusive parents can be your friends, your neighbors or your relatives. Child maltreatment affects all economic, racial, social, ethnic and religious groups.
What is the cost of child abuse and neglect in monetary and human terms?
The cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States is estimated at $258 million per day, according to a study by Prevent Child Abuse America.
HOW CAN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT BE PREVENTED?
Recognize the warning signs: parents under chronic stress, children exhibiting negative and anxious behaviors, signs of physical abuse.
Encourage families under stress to seek out support services.
Call the 1-800-CHILDRENparent helpline for guidance.
Report suspected child abuse and neglect by calling your local social services department or call the Virginia Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-552-7096, (Language line available).
For more statistics go to Virginia Social Services - CPS Statistics
For national statistics go to Prevent Child Abuse America