The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released new child abuse and neglect statistics. There is a continuing decline in reported child abuse and neglect cases to 900,000 in 1998. The incidence rate of children victimized by maltreatment declined to 12.9 per 1,000, the lowest in 10 years From 1993 to 1998, the number of children abused and neglected decreased from a record of over one million to 903,000. While it is encouraging that the number of children suffering from abuse and neglect is declining, the statistics are still alarming. Sadly, there remains a disturbing and unacceptably high number of victimized children.
Prevention works, but there is much more work to do.
During April, you will find Pennies for Families plastic donation bottles in area businesses and workplaces. Window decals will be displayed in participating donation sites. The Blue Ribbon Campaign to End Child Abuse. National Child Abuse Prevention Month Child abuse and neglect can be fatal. While the number of children abused and neglected has decreased nationwide, the number of child fatalities caused by maltreatment remained unchanged at about 1,100.