re: male vs. female abuse towards children

["Walter Fahr" <Fswalter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

An observation about the gender differences in child maltreatment. Unfortunately the NCANDS data does not differentiate types of maltreatment rates by gender and this can vary substantially. For the state of Louisiana( to use one state as an example)in CY 1999 the rates for confirmed cases are as follows:

                                                     Perpetrators
                                               Males              Females

Neglect                                  25%                       75%
Physical Abuse                   46%                       54%
Sexual Abuse                       87%                       13%
Emotional Maltreatment    21%                       79%

As can be seen there is a wide variance by type. The results does not have a single cause but clearly issues such as the large # of single parent families and feminization of poverty will contribute to the over-representation of females in the data especially, neglect.  Physical abuse interestingly is much closer to a 50/50 split.  Emotional maltreatment rates reflect a disproportionate # of female perpetrators possibly because of their disproportionate share of child care responsibilities.  The data for the disproportionate # of male perpetrators and sexual abuse is also a different dynamic with its own issues, 

Walter G. Fahr, LCSW
Program Manager-CPS
State of Louisiana 

>>> mcleods@calib.com 12/05/00 11:20AM >>>
Dear Jeannine,

Child Maltreatment 1998:  Reports from the States to the National Child
Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) includes perpetrator information that
includes characteristics of the perpetrators as well as the relationship of
the perpetrator to the child victim.

If you are not familiar with this Federally mandated report, it is based on
data provided by child protective services agencies within the States.  The
approximate 100 page publication is available in full text via the
Children's Bureau web site at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb/.  In the
"Highlights" section, please pay particular attention to Chapter
6--Perpetrators, beginning on page 6-1.  If you prefer, this free
publication can be mailed to you by providing your complete name and mailing
address.  FYI....We do charge postage for international requests.

If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.

Thank you,
Sandi McLeod, Special Initiatives
National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse & Neglect Information
(800) 394-3366, ext. 352
mcleods@calib.com