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Show Child Abuse and Neglect Compiled by Dan Bergantz 2001 Referrals Received by DCFS: 17,515 2001 Substantiated Abuse Cases: 6,449 Child abuse and neglect is a topic that has recently received substantial coverage by the media. It is extremely difficult to assess the magnitude of this problem, mainly because the victims are often incapable of reporting an incident of abuse or neglect. The Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) investigated 17,515 referrals of child abuse and/or neglect in fiscal year 2001. Of these, 6,449 cases (37%) were substantiated. This rate is slightly higher than the national average rate of 29.2%. It was discovered that 9,480 children were victimized in Utah during this time period. Of the total victims, 55% were female and 45% were male. The greatest number of children who were victimized were those under the age of six. Perpetrators of abuse are most likely the parents of the child since 64% of perpetrators are between the ages of 21 and 40, and 71% of child abuse and / or neglect cases occur right within the child's own home. After declining slightly in 1996, both the numbers of referrals and substantiated cases of child abuse have since continued to rise. 20,000 - 18,000 - 16,000 - 14,000 - ¦§ 12,000 - jjj 10,000 - § 8,000 - 6,000 - 4,000 - 2,000 - 0 Table 52. Substantiated Child Abuse Cases by Type, Utah, 2001. Type of Abuse Percentage of Cases Domestic Violence Related 25% Physical Neglect 18% Sexual Abuse 18% Physical Abuse 12% Emotional Maltreatment 10% Non-Supervision 6% Failure to Protect 5% Dependency 3% Medical Neglect 1% Education Neglect 1% Fetal Addiction/ Exposure 1% Table 53. Victims of Abuse by Age, Utah, 2001. Victim's Age (years) Number of Cases3 Percent 0-5 3,168 34% 6-10 2,565 29% 11-13 1284 15% 14-17 1,619 20% 18 + 120 2% aSome children were involved in multiple cases Table 54. Perpetrators of Abuse by Age, Utah, 2001. Victim's Age (years) Percent 0-10 1% 11-20 16% 21-30 31% 31-40 33% 41-50 15% 51 + 5% 1988 1991 1994 Year 1997 2000 Figure 36. Number of Referrals to Utah Division of Child and Family Services, 1988-2001. Sources: Utah Division of Child and Family Services (2001). Outcome Measures Report: Fiscal Year 2001. Salt Lake City: Government Printing Office. 92 Utah's Health: An Annual Review Volume VIII |
