Report Highlights Increase in Child Abuse Fatalities

We Can Do Better, a report released (2009) by the advocacy group, Every Child Matters, hightlights the growing concern about fatal child abuse and neglect. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reported an increase in number and rate of (child abuse) fatalities. This report includes recent data, discussion of risk factors and recommendations to improve our nation's protection of vulnerable children. Click here to read We Can Do Better: Child Abuse and Neglect Deaths in America.

Cost of Child Abuse
A report released by Prevent Child Abuse America (2007) estimates the annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States to be 103.8 billion dollars. Direct costs are estimated to be $33.1 billion and include costs of meeting the immediate needs of children who are abused or neglected. These services include but are not limited to: hospitalization, mental healthcare, child welfare services and law enforcement.

The indirect costs of child abuse and neglect in America are estimated to be $70.65 billion. This figure includes costs associated with special education, juvenile delinquency, mental health and health care, adult criminal justice system expenditures and lost productivity to society for individuals who are abused and neglected.


Review Team Recommends CACs as Valuable
A bi-partisan child protection services review team convened by former Governor Kathleen Sebelius noted children’s advocacy centers as a key recommendation. The report says, “The development of accredited children’s advocacy centers (CACs) is helpful in the support of the victim and in the assessment and determination of child sexual abuse.” Click here to read the complete report


Resources


Children’s Advocacy Centers
National Children’s Alliance
Midwest Regional Children’s Advocacy Center

National Children's Advocacy Center


Mental Health Treatment and Trauma
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Kaufman Best Practices Study
Child Trauma Academy


Prosecution
National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse