Re: Statistics on verification of allegations ofchildsexualabuse

["Steven Kairys" <kairysst@xxxxxxxxx>]

Brett Drake's article is indeed excellent.

Another source of information is the annual NCANDS report put out by the
USDHHS (order from the www.calib.com/nccanch

The 1997 NCANDS include 3 states that track intentionally false reports

Compiled by Nico Trocmé, from 1997 NCANDS, State table 3.1 & 3.2

                Total Reports      Unsubstantiated
Intentionally False
Florida     186,726.00         92,337.00  (49%)            868.00  (0.5%)
Missouri   80,185.00          49,490.00  (62%)            460.00   (0.6%)
Vermont   2,309.00            1,257.00     (54%)             18.00    (0.8%)

Total          269,220.00      143,084.00  (53%)         1,346.00  (0.5%)

We also tracked false reports in a 1993 study in Ontario and found that 3
per cent were classified as being malicious or intentionally false (Trocmé,
N., D. McPhee, et al. (1994). Ontario incidence study of reported child
abuse and neglect. Toronto, Institute for the Prevention of Child Abuse)

We will soon be reporting on a national study using a similar classification
system.

Nico Trocmé
Bell Canada Child Welfare Research Unit
Centre for Applied Social Research
Faculty of Social Work
University of Toronto

246 Bloor St West
Toronto, M5S 1A1
Ontario, Canada

tel: 416-978-5718
fax: 416-978-7072
nico.trocme@utoronto.ca
http://cwr.utoronto.ca/




-----Original Message-----
From: Brett Drake <brettd@gwbmail.wustl.edu>
To: Child Maltreatment Researchers
<CHILD-MALTREATMENT-RESEARCH-L@cornell.edu>
Date: Wednesday, May 03, 2000 8:31 AM
Subject: Re: Statistics on verification of allegations ofchildsexualabuse


>
>My view, looking at all types of maltreatment, is that we are probably
looking at a very small proportion of intentionally false cases (less than
ten percent, probably far less), and perhaps another third of cases which
are erroneous, but do not represent intentional deception on the part of the
reporter.  In the remaining majority of cases, we have situations in which
maltreatment or service need exists. While some states substantiate only a
small subset of these cases, that should not be taken to mean that there is
no maltreatment or need for services in those cases.  If I might cite
myself, I would suggest an article titled "Unraveling Unsubstantiated" in
_Child Maltreatment_ 1(3), p.261.
>
>-Brett Drake
>

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