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Show Women's and Children's Health Child Abuse and Neglect Compiled by Becky Bradshaw, Lynsey Drew, Dana Ewer, and Royce Webb 2002 Referrals Received Bv DCFS: 18.517 2002 Substantiated Abuse Cases: 6,810 The incidence of child abuse and neglect continues to be a problem for the state of Utah. It is difficult to accurately assess the magnitude of the problem because such incidents are not always reported. After declining slightly in 1996, the numbers of referrals and substantiated cases of child abuse/neglect have continued to rise (Figure 1). In 2002, the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) received 18,517 referrals of abuse and neglect, an increase of 1,002 from 2001. Of these 6,810 (37%) cases were substantiated. This is slightly higher than the national average of 29.2%. The Child Protection Services (CPS) reports that, though the number of substantiated cases has increased, the number of children involved in a second substantiated incident dropped in 1997 and has since remained constant. In 2002, 13% of the victims were previously involved in substantiated cases. Sexual abuse and domestic violence, together, constitute almost 50% of all child abuse cases (Table 1). The DCFS reports that 55% of the victims were female and 45% were male. The greatest number of incidents involved children ages 0-5 years old (Table 2). Parents were three times more likely to abuse their children than any other group (Table 3). The age of perpetrators of abuse are found in Table 4. Utah law states that any person who has reason to believe that a child is being abused and/or neglected is obligated to report it to law enforcement or the Division of Child and Family Services at (800) 678-9399. Table 1. Percent of Substantiated Child Abuse Cases by Type, Utah, 2002. Type of Abuse Percentage of Cases Sexual Abuse 26% Domestic Violence Related Physical Abuse Physical Neglect Emotional Maltreatment Non-Supervision Failure to Protect Dependency Fetal Addiction or Exposure Educational Neglect Medical Neglect__________ 21% 16% 12% 10% 5% 3% 3% 2% 1% 1% Table 2. Percent of Victims of Abuse by Age, Utah, 2002. Victim's Age (years) Cases 0-5 6-10 11-13 34% 28% 16% Table 3. Relationship of Perpetrator to Victim, Utah, 2002. Relationship Number of Incidents Parents 4,862 Relatives 902 Others 1,457 Table 4. Perpetrators of Abuse by Age, Utah, 2002. Perpetrator's Age (years) Cases 0-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 50+ 1% 16% 32% 32% 15% 4% Figure 1. Referrals to the Division of Child and Family Services by Number, Utah, FY 1998-2002. 19000i J£ 18000- 17000 16000- 15000 FY98 FY99 FYOO Year FY01 FY02 Sources: Utah Division of Child and Family Services (2002). Outcome Measures Report: Fiscal Year 2002. [Online] h|Hl_..>li> v_ Utah's Health: An Annual Review Volume DC 105 |