Educational institutions were the most common source of referrals. Medical facilities, legal personnel, and social services also referred many cases, as did individual parents. Cases were evenly divided by gender. The number of deaths from child abuse has remained relatively low over time, but even a few cases are tragic. In 1994, there were seven deaths attributed to child abuse.
Child abuse is typically a crime among families.
Other perpetrators include relatives and foster parents. Child abuse can be prevented with intervention, education, and child protective services. The high rates of child abuse in Connecticut are a serious cause for concern.