U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Nation's Shame: Fatal Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States Executive Summary

NCJ Number
157013
Date Published
1995
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This report offers a discussion of efforts and opportunities that show promise in helping to understand and prevent child abuse and neglect fatalities.
Abstract
This document addresses: (1) the lack of knowledge concerning the scope and nature of child abuse and neglect fatalities; (2) the need for better investigation and prosecution and for major efforts to improve and train front-line professionals; (3) the encouraging emergence of Child Death Review Teams; and (4) the need for more aggressive efforts to protect children and facilitate community-based family services and primary prevention efforts to help families live safe and healthy lives. The Board made 25 recommendations, including the following: (1) Establish a national commitment at the highest levels to understand the scope and nature of fatal child abuse and neglect; (2) Significantly increase Federal and State research efforts on the problem; (3) Increase the supply of professionals qualified to identify and investigate child abuse and neglect fatalities; (4) Create criminal investigation teams that include States, military branches, and Indian Nations; (5) Enact legislation in every State establishing child autopsy protocols; enact State statutes that define child abuse and neglect as felonies, not misdemeanors; (6) Establish Child Death Review Teams in every State, military branch, Indian Nation, and territory, with teams also at local or regional levels; (7) Enact model legislation to address confidentiality; (8) Provide an array of primary prevention services to all families; (9) Establish State and local prevention programs for men; and (10) Use family support services for prevention programs aimed at families with infants and toddlers. Figures, references