Re: Statistics on verification of allegations of child

[<Hechler@xxxxxxx>]

Nico:  Someone I know tried to check out the statistics you cited in a recent 
post (which I've pasted at the bottom of this message).  Since he is not on 
this list, I'm relaying his questions below.  

David Hechler


I have been unable to verify the numbers below from the 1997 NCANDS
Report. This report is online in full:
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb/stats/ncands97/index.htm
 
However, in looking at first the tables he ref'd, State tables 3.1 and
3.2, and eventually looking at all the tables, and at the "additional
comments by state," and basically reading the whole report, I'm kind of
stumped. Florida, Vermont, and Missouri do make note that they track
deliberately false allegations, but I'm just not seeing where he gets
the actual figures from--the State Comments section notes that they're
lumped in under "Other" and that sort of thing.
 
It *appears* that perhaps he used info which is not made publicly
available in the report itself--perhaps through contacting the folks in
charge of compiling stats for those states? Or maybe I'm missing
something, but if so, I just seem to keep missing it!
 
I'm afraid I'm not sure what to do next...?


NICO's Original Post:  

<< 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
  >>