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In the United States, one of the most educated
and affluent countries in the world, in 2006, an estimated
905,000 children were determined to be victims of child abuse
neglect/maltreatment, an increase of over 6,000 children from
2005. These maltreated children were identified based on 3.6
million referrals alleging child abuse or neglect that were
accepted by state and local child protective services (CPS)
agencies for investigation. That means about 12 out of every
1,000 children up to age 18 in the United States were found
to be victims of maltreatment in 2006 (USDHHS, 2008). Nationally,
1,530 children died as a result of this victimization, also
an increase from 2005, when there were 1,460 child fatalities
(USDHHS-ACF, 2008).
In Iowa, in 2006, the child population was
710,194. Of those children 14,589 were determined to have
been abused or neglected/maltreated. In 2006, 6 children died
in Iowa as a result of abuse or neglect/maltreatment, a decrease
from 2005 when there were 9 child fatalities (USDHHS-ACF,
2008).
The suffering of children continues despite
laws identifying mandatory reporters. In Iowa, all mandatory
reporters are required to complete two hours of approved training
relating to the identification and reporting of child abuse
within six months of initial employment or self-employment.
All mandatory reporters are also required to complete at least
two hours of additional child abuse identification and reporting
training every five years. The Iowa Department of Public Health,
Abuse Education Review Panel has approved this course to meet
that requirement.
Note: National statistics are based
on reports from each individual state. However, each state,
through its laws defines child abuse, neglect, maltreatment,
etc. differently. For example, some states use the term "neglect"
which in Iowa is considered "denial of critical care"; some
states specifically identify "medical neglect", while in other
states, "medical neglect" is considered part of "neglect".
Additionally, some authors of the references used in this
course define these terms differently. For the purpose of
this course the terms "abuse and neglect/maltreatment" or
"maltreatment" will be used to identify the entire spectrum
of reportable mistreatment of children. When a specific type
of mistreatment is addressed, it will be identified as such.
Ken Hammond, USDA.
Continue to Who Are
the Mandatory Reporters?
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