Child Abuse Prevention

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, child protective services agencies received approximately 3.4 million referrals for child maltreatment in 2010; 78.5% included neglect, 17.6% physical abuse, and 9.1% sexual abuse. In addition to physical injuries, physical disabilities, and abuse-related fatalities, child abuse is associated with acute and long-term psychological, physical, and neurological difficulties; related chronic health problems; mental health care needs; and expenses associated with child welfare, law enforcement, special education, and the judicial system. Richard J. Gelles and Staci Perlman have estimated that child abuse costs $80 billion a year in both direct costs, such as medical treatment for trauma and child welfare expenses, and indirect costs, such as the increased need for early intervention and special education services. Child ...