HHS REPORTS NEW CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT STATISTICS

President Clinton issues proclamation for April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month and HHS distributes prevention materials nationwide

HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today reported that 1997 national child abuse and neglect statistics continued to decline slightly to under one million children as reported by states. The decline, the fourth in a row reported by the federal government, came as the nation marked April as National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.

"Though we're reporting a slight decline in children as victims of abuse and neglect - these numbers nevertheless represent an unacceptable human tragedy we must do more to prevent," said Secretary Shalala. "The Clinton administration is committed to supporting innovative community efforts to give children at risk a better chance for a safe and nurturing permanent home. We also encourage states to recognize the connections between substance abuse and child abuse, which are taking a toll on so many American families."

Based on preliminary state-reported child abuse and neglect statistics, HHS estimates that child protective service agencies investigated reports of alleged maltreatment of nearly three million children. Of those children investigated, states found that 963,870 children were victims of abuse and neglect. In a trend starting four years ago, the number of children abused and neglected has decreased from a record 1,018,692 in 1993. Though state reports capture much of child abuse and neglect, separate studies have found that the number of victims may be higher. Parents and relatives continue to be the main perpetrators of maltreatment. Parents comprised 75 percent and other relatives 10 percent of perpetrators. Non-related individuals were 6 percent.

According to a new report, substance abuse is a substantial factor in a third of all child abuse and neglect cases, and up to two-thirds of foster care cases. The report, "Blending Perspectives and Building Common Ground," written collaboratively by three HHS divisions - the Administration for Children and Families, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - provides recommendations on the need for closer coordination between the child protection and substance abuse treatment systems.

"This report highlights the critical importance of creating and strengthening collaborations across agency and discipline lines," said Olivia A. Golden, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. "By working together we can eliminate barriers to effective treatment for families."

"Families where there is child abuse and neglect often face multiple problems that require comprehensive solutions," said SAMHSA Administrator Nelba Chavez, Ph.D. "Our experience and research has shown that integrating substance abuse and mental health services into social and health programs is critical to meeting the needs of parents and children."

The department will be distributing several thousand packets of prevention information to states and local child welfare agencies and community organizations as a part of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month. This information is also available at the following Web site: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov. The prevention materials can also be obtained by calling the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect at 1-800-FYI-3366.

The Clinton administration has promoted and supported policies and innovative programs to address the problems of child maltreatment and substance abuse. In 1997, President Clinton signed into law the Adoption and Safe Families Act based on proposals in his Adoption 2002 plan. The law strengthened protections for children and promotes permanent placements through more timely decisions by the child welfare system.

HHS also provides grants to states and local communities for programs that work with infants in the child welfare system born to parents who are substance abusers and has granted waivers to several states to use federal foster care funds more flexibly to provide substance abuse services. It has also encouraged and participated in joint meetings of state child protective and substance abuse services directors.

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Note: HHS press releases are available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.dhhs.gov.