Multiple Dimensions of Child Abuse and Neglect: New Insights into an Old Problem

• NCJ Number: 196713
• Author(s): Rosemary Chalk; Alison Gibbons; Harriet J. Scarupa
• Date Published: May 2002
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Child Trends
• Sale Source: Child Trends
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: This report is part of Child Trends, Research Brief series.

Annotation

This report looks at the multiple dimensions of child abuse and neglect, specifically the hidden consequences of child maltreatment, a summary of what is known about the consequences of child abuse and neglect in several critical areas, and the need to develop reliable indicators to assess and monitor the outcomes of children reported for abuse and neglect.

Abstract

Research into the social problem of child abuse and neglect has shown an enormous array of less visible negative consequences emerging at different stages of children’s lives. These “hidden” consequences have the potential to result in long-term health and cognitive effects and developmental delays. This brief draws on available data and recent research studies to look at the multiple dimensions of child abuse and neglect. The consequences in several critical areas are discussed and include: physical and mental health, cognitive and educational attainment, and social and behavioral development. The report begins with a look at the magnitude of child abuse and neglect using data from 1999. Data highlights include: (1) child neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment; (2) the youngest children are at greatest risk; (3) the cost of child welfare services are very high; (4) most local agencies lack adequate resources to protect and serve the needs of children and families; (5) from one perspective, the rate of abuse and neglect appears to be diminishing; and (6) the severity of cases, however has not changed and the level of harm may have actually increased. The final section of the report discusses the challenges facing researchers in the child abuse and neglect field such as identifying the positive as well as the negative, gaining more insight into similarities and differences, facing up to the measurement challenge in order to develop indicators to measure the health and status of children who are victimized by abuse and neglect. Several implications for policy makers and service providers are presented. To gather more information on children’s general health, educational, social, and behavioral status more needs to done through the use of existing survey measures to determine the levels of risk and routine status within this group of vulnerable children. This may offer a more effective assessment tool for public and private agencies and community leaders.