Substantiated Incidents of Child Abuse and/or Neglect

Measures

Rate (per 1,000) of substantiated incidents of child abuse and/or neglect.


Why is this indicator important?

Children who are victims of abuse or neglect are more likely to suffer from depression, substance abuse, learning and behavioral difficulties in school, and attempted suicide. Further, they are more likely to participate in crimes and misdemeanors, mistreat their own children, and become involved in intimate partner violence as adults.


A paper published by the Georgia Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in July 2001 reported that research shows that:

• Maltreated children are significantly more likely than non-maltreated children to become involved in delinquent or criminal behavior.

• The prevalence of childhood abuse or neglect among delinquent and criminal populations is substantially greater than that in the general population.

• Delinquent youth with a history of abuse and neglect are at higher risk of continuing their delinquent behavior than delinquents without such a history.

Substantiated: An investigation disposition by a CPS investigator concludes, based on a preponderance of evidence collected, that the allegation of mistreatment, as defined by state law and CPS procedure requirements, is true.

NOTE: For comparisons to previous years, Substantiated cases were Confirmed, and Unsubstantiated is the total of the previous categories of Unconfirmed and Unfounded cases.


For more information about Child Abuse in Georgia see the Georgia Family Connection Partnership's Best Practices Fact Sheets - Ensuring Our Children's Safety: How Communities Are Addressing Child Abuse and Neglect  (Winter 2006)


How are we doing in Hall County?

• The number of substantiated incidents of child abuse and/or neglect in Hall County rose sharply between 1997 and 2003.  Since 2003, the numbers have declined dramatically.  Since 2005, the number of substantiated cases have consistently been below the state average.
• Neglect is consistently the most prevalent form of substantiated abuse, accounting for 60 percent of child abuse and neglect nationally, 78 percent in Georgia, and ____ in Hall County in 2008.
• Young children are the most vulnerable to victimization.
• Nationally, 32 percent of child victims are age birth to 3 years. In Georgia, 33 percent of child abuse and neglect victims are in this age range, and _____ in Hall County.
• In the U.S., biological parents are the abusers in 80 percent of cases.
• In the U.S., 90 percent of abuse occurs in the victim's home.

(Source: Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children Services, Child Protective Services)


What does research tell us we can do to improve this indicator?

• Provide nurturing and attachment: Beginning at birth, children need to develop a bond with a caring adult.  Teach children how to recognize and avoid potential abuse situations and/or to seek help.  Offer therapeutic care for victims of abuse.

• Provide knowledge of parenting and child development: Parents need to understand how children grow and learn appropriate care, discipline and expectations based on the child's age and level of development.
• Parental resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from the stressors and crises of everyday living.
• Provide social connections: The presence of trusted and caring family, friends, and community members provides encouragement and assistance to parents as they raise a family.
• Provide concrete supports: Parents and families need basic resources, such as housing, food and transportation, and access to services, such as health care and childcare, to ensure the well-being of their children.  Link parents with substance abuse treatment programs, and medical and mental health services
• Increase public awareness of the scope of child abuse and neglect, and its long-lasting impact on children