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FACTS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT
A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds
2009 Minnesota Statistics*
Minnesota children are abused and neglected each year. In 2009, 4,742 children were abused and neglected; 44 children suffered life-threatening injuries; and 21 children died from maltreatment. Of these abused and neglected children:
The median age for victims was 6 years old.
White children accounted for 51%
African American/Black, 23%
Hispanic, 11%
American Indian, 10%
Two or more races, 10%.
Asian and Pacific Islander,1%.
Unknown, 2%
76% of all alleged offenders were victims’ birth parents.
12% of offenders are other relatives including stepparents, adoptive parents, granparents, and siblings.
Some children were victims of more than one offender.
Children suffer many types of abuse and neglect. In 2008, Minnesota counties determined that:
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70% of all victims suffered from neglect.
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20% of all those maltreated were physically abused.
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16% of all victims suffered sexual abuse.
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1% of all victims suffered medical neglect.
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1% of all victims suffered from emotional or mental abuse.
Some children were victims of more than one form of abuse or neglect.
*Info. from the Minnesota Department of Human Services 2009 Minnesota's Child Welfare Report.
National Statistics*
- A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.
- Almost five children die everyday as a result of child abuse. More than three out of four are under the age of 4.
- It is estimated that between 60-85% of child fatalities due to maltreatment are not recorded as such on death certificates.
- 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68% are abused by family members.
- Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.
- About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse.
- About 80% of 21-year olds that were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.
- The estimated annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States for 2007 is $104 billion.
Child Abuse Consequences
- Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy
- Abused teens are 3 times less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs
- Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime.
Child Abuse and Substance Abuse
- Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely to abuse alcohol
- Children who have been sexually abused are 3.8 times more likely develop drug addictions
- Nearly two-thirds of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused as children
Strengthening families helps prevent child abuse and neglect
Research provides compelling evidence that strength-based child welfare interventions result in safer children and more stable families.
Factors that research shows are shared by strong, healthy families and communities are:
- Parental resilience
- Social connections
- Knowledge of parenting and child development
- Concrete support in times of need
- Children’s social and emotional competence
Everyone can help prevent child abuse and neglect
Certain individuals, based on their professional association with children, must, by law, report any suspected abuse and neglect. However, all Minnesotans are encouraged to report suspected child abuse and neglect to their county social service agency or law enforcement agency, and help by:
- Hosting community conversations about how to strengthen families
- Reaching out to help connect parents to local resources, such as community emergency funds, counseling or food shelves
- Providing support by baby-sitting, playing with children or volunteering with youth-oriented programs
- Joining, or starting, a local child abuse prevention council
*Info. from ChildHelp USA
For more information about Child Welfare in Minnesota, please click here: MN Deptartment of Human Services
Additional Resources:
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