Re: Followup from USA TODAY

I’m not sure it’s possible to really answer this question without grappling with how child maltreatment is defined. Most state definitions of “neglect” include lack of adequate food, clothing, and shelter. So by definition, if there is more poverty, there will be more so-called “neglect.” The fate of the children will depend on whether it’s dealt with as a poverty problem or a “child abuse” problem.

Charts in the annual federal “Child Maltreatment” reports show the rate of substantiated maltreatment allegations peaking in 1993, then steadily declining, bumping up a little around the time of the last recession around 2001, and then declining again

These links together cover 1990 through 2006:

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm06/figure3_1.htm.

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm03/figure3_2.htm

Richard Wexler
Executive Director
National Coalition for Child Protection Reform
53 Skyhill Road (Suite 202)
Alexandria VA 22314
703-212-2006
www.nccpr.org

In a message dated 1/14/2009 9:03:52 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, tph3@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:

URGENT:

     A reporter for a large newspaper asks 3 questions:

    1) Is there evidence that child abuse and/or neglect increases during economic downturns in the U.S.? Is anyone familiar with research on this?

    2) Also, is there any evidence that unemployed parents are more likely to commit child abuse and/or neglect?

    3) Are there county or state data showing changes in numbers of child abuse/neglect cases reported since the U.S. recession began in December 2007?

     Thank you for your willingness to post these questions and forward any answers on to me.

Please reply privately to mailto:tph3@xxxxxxxxxxx or share your comments to the list. I will forward all responses on.
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Tom Hanna, Director
Child Abuse Prevention Network
www.child-abuse.com
tom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
tph3@xxxxxxxxxxx
off 607.275.9360
cel 607.227.4524
fax: 415.962.0510
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