| An Issue Facing All Communities:
The National Scope of the Problem 
How many children are abused and neglected in the United States? Each week, child protective services (CPS) agencies throughout the United States receive more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. In 2002, 2.6 million reports concerning the welfare of approximately 4.5 million children were made.
In approximately two-thirds (67 percent) of these cases, the information provided in the report was sufficient to prompt an assessment or investigation. As a result of these investigations, approximately 896,000 children were found to have been victims of abuse or neglect—an average of more than 2,450 children per day.
More than half (60 percent) of victims experienced neglect, meaning a caretaker failed to provide for the child’s basic needs. Fewer victims experienced physical abuse (nearly 20 percent) or sexual abuse (10 percent), though these cases are typically more likely to be publicized. The smallest number (7 percent) were found to be victims of emotional
abuse, which includes criticizing, rejecting, or refusing to nurture a child.
An average of nearly four children die every day as a result of child abuse or neglect (1,400 in 2002). Who is more likely to be abused or neglected? No group of children is immune. Boys and girls are about equally likely to be abused or neglected. Children of all races and ethnicities experience child abuse. In 2002, one-half of all victims were White (54 percent), one-quarter were African American (26 percent), and one-tenth (11 percent) were Hispanic. American Indian or Alaska Native
children accounted for 2 percent of victims, and Asian-Pacific Islanders accounted for 1 percent of victims. Children of all ages experience abuse and neglect, but the youngest children are most vulnerable. Children younger than 1 year old accounted for 41 percent of all abuse-related deaths reported in 2002; three-quarters (76 percent) of those killed were younger than 4. Who reports child abuse and neglect? In 2002, more than one-half (57 percent) of all reports made to CPS agencies came from professionals who came in contact with the child. Teachers (16 percent of all reports); legal, law enforcement, and criminal justice personnel (16 percent); social services workers (13 percent); and medical personnel (8 percent) were the most frequent sources of reports in 2002. Many people in these professions are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect.
However, many reports (44 percent) came from nonprofessional sources, such as parents, other relatives, friends, and neighbors. Anonymous reports accounted for 10 percent of all reports in 2002. It is important for everyone to know the signs that may indicate maltreatment and how to report it. We all share a responsibility to help keep children safe as we take steps to prevent abuse from occurring in the first place. (For more information about recognizing child abuse and neglect, see Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms on the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information website at http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm.) Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau. (2004). Child Maltreatment 2002. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Available online at
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/publications/cmreports.htm or by calling the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information at (800) 394-3366. Statistics in Child Maltreatment 2002 refer to cases of harm to a child caused by parents or other caretakers; they do not include harm caused by other people, such as acquaintances or strangers. Safe Children and Healthy Families Are a Shared Responsibility http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/topics/prevention/index.cfm
Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect If you suspect abuse, reporting it can protect the child and get help for the family. Each State identifies mandatory reporters (groups of people who are required to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect). However, any concerned person can and should report suspected child abuse. A report is not an accusation; it is an expression of concern and a request for an investigation or evaluation of the child's situation. If you suspect a child is in a dangerous situation, take immediate action. Your suspicion of child abuse or neglect is enough to make a report. You are not required to provide proof. Investigators in your community will make the determination of whether abuse or neglect has occurred. Almost every State has a law to protect people who make good-faith reports of child abuse from prosecution or liability. How do I report child abuse or neglect?
If you suspect a child is being harmed, contact your State Child Abuse Hotline, local child protective services (CPS), or law enforcement agency so professionals can assess the situation. For more information about where and how to file a report, call Childhelp USA®, National ChildAbuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD®). When calling to report child abuse, you will be asked for specific information, which may include:  The child’s name and location
The suspected perpetrator’s name and relationship to the child (if known) A description of what you have seen or heard regarding the abuse or neglect The names of any other people having knowledge of the abuse Your name and phone number The names of reporters are not given out to families reported for child abuse or neglect; however, sometimes by the nature of the information reported, your identity may become evident to the family. You may request to make your report anonymously, but your report may be considered more credible and can be more helpful to CPS if you give your name. What will happen when I make a report? Your report of possible child maltreatment will first be screened by hotline staff or a CPS worker. If the worker feels there is enough credible information to indicate that maltreatment may have occurred or is at risk of occurring, your report will be referred to staff who will conduct an investigation. Investigators respond within a particular time period (anywhere from a few hours to a few days), depending on the potential severity of the situation. They may speak with the child, the parents, and other people in contact with the child (such as doctors, teachers, or childcare providers). Their purpose is to determine if abuse or neglect has occurred and if it may happen again.
If the investigator finds that no abuse or neglect occurred, or what happened does not meet the State’s definition of abuse or neglect, the case will be closed and the family may or may not be referred elsewhere for services. If the investigator feels the children are at risk of harm, the family may be referred to services to reduce the risk of future maltreatment. These may include mental health care, medical care, parenting skills classes, employment assistance, and concrete support such as financial or housing assistance. In rare cases where the child’s safety cannot be ensured, the child may be removed from the home. Safe Children and Healthy Families Are a Shared Responsibility
http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/topics/prevention/index.cfm  Click here for more information on Abuse
 
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