FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, April 19, 2002
Contact: John Allen (202) 401-9215

YEAR 2000 CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT FINDINGS RELEASED

The Administration for Children and Families today released national statistics on child maltreatment for 2000, showing a small one-year increase in confirmed reports of maltreatment but indicating that instances of child abuse and neglect remain about 20 percent lower than the peak years of 1993 and 1994.

Reports of maltreatment were 12.2 per thousand children in 2000, the second-lowest level in the past decade. The lowest point, measured in 1999, was 11.8 per thousand. Abuse and neglect reports had reached a high of 15.3 per thousand in 1993 and 15.2 per thousand in 1994.

Although the recent reported levels are lower compared to the peak years, HHS Assistant Secretary for Children and Families Wade F. Horn said the number of maltreated children in America "remains unacceptably high and stands as an affront and a challenge to all of us."

"Behind these statistics are real children who are suffering real physical and emotional pain," he said. "We are working hard to reduce these numbers, and we must rededicate ourselves to successful prevention efforts. We're pleased that child abuse is down significantly in the past decade, but we must continue to strive to eliminate the mistreatment of children from our society."

The Bush administration has proposed a 35 percent increase in funding for fiscal year 2003 to address the needs of maltreated and other at-risk children. The year 2000 data were announced today in conjunction with Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, observed each April.

Based on data collected through the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), the HHS agency estimates that child protective service agencies received about three million referrals of possible maltreatment in 2000. Of these, approximately 879,000 cases were substantiated after investigation. Almost two-thirds (62 percent) suffered neglect; 19 percent were physically abused; 10 percent were sexually abused and 8 percent were psychologically maltreated. The rate of child victims per 1,000 children in the population has been decreasing steadily since 1993 when there were 15.3 victims per 1,000 children. It is not possible to tell whether this year's slight increase indicates a trend until more data are collected.

Consistent with previous years, 84 percent of victims were abused by a parent or parents. Mothers acting alone were responsible for 47 percent of the neglect and 32 percent of the physical abuse. Nonrelatives, fathers acting alone, and other relatives were responsible for 29 percent, 22 percent and 19 percent, respectively, of the sexual abuse. Approximately 1,200 children died of abuse or neglect, a rate of 1.71 children per 100,000 children in the population. The increase (from 1,100 in 1999) is thought to be attributable to improved reporting.

The Bush Administration has requested an additional $130 million in FY 2003, for a total of $505 million, for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families program, which addresses the needs of maltreated and other at-risk children. This program provides funds to states to run a coordinated program of family preservation services, community-based family support services, reunification services and adoption promotion and support services. The additional funding will expand states' capacities to strengthen families and ensure safe, permanent placements for vulnerable children.

"As we commemorate Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, we need to be mindful of the things each American can do to stop child maltreatment," Horn said. "No matter who we are, we can help raise awareness of this terrible problem in our own communities and work to prevent it wherever it threatens to occur."

Year-by-year maltreatment rates since 1990 are as follows: 1990, 13.4 per thousand; 1991, 14.0; 1992, 15.1; 1993, 15.3; 1994, 15.2; 1995, 14.7; 1996, 14.7; 1997, 13.8; 1998, 12.6; 1999, 11.8; 2000, 12.2.

The Statistical Summary is posted at
http://www.calib.com/nccanch/prevmnth/scope/ncands.cfm.

To obtain a table of State and National Child Abuse and Neglect
Victimization Rates for 1999 and 2000, contact the National Clearinghouse on
Child Abuse and Neglect Information by telephone at (800) 394-3366 or by
email at nccanch@calib.com.

HHS is planning a number of activities to mark Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. Further information can be found at: http://www.calib.com/nccanch/prevmnth.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.