NCJ Number
117609
Date Published
1989
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the results of a 50-State survey conducted in January 1989 by the National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse to monitor trends in the number and characteristics of child abuse reports nationwide and the funding and scope of child welfare services.
Abstract
The Federal liaison officer for child abuse and neglect in each State was contacted by phone and asked the survey questions. The survey information covers the number of reports filed for 1986, 1987, and 1988; State procedures for prioritizing cases or reducing the number of reports accepted for investigation; the percentage of reported cases accepted onto child protective service caseloads; case characteristics; fatalities reported for 1986, 1987, and 1988; State procedures for reviewing or prosecuting child abuse fatalities; victim therapeutic services; and funding. Based on reporting data collected from 41 States and the District of Columbia, over 2.2 million reports were filed in 1988, approximately 3 percent more than reported in 1987. The estimated number of reported child abuse fatalities have numbered 1,171 for 1986, 1,163 for 1987, and 1,225 for 1988. Based on the survey results, policy directions are suggested. 4 tables 18 references.