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Lesson One: (Continued)
According to a study by Prevent Child Abuse America, more than 3 million children
were reported for child abuse and neglect to child protective service (CPS)
agencies in the United States during 1998. Of these reports, more than 1 million
were substantiated. In addition, approximately three children died each day in
the United States from abuse or neglect in 1997.
The California Department of Society Services reports that in 2001, more than
670,000 children were referred for investigation of child abuse and
neglect.
A 1997 audit by the California Department of Health Services found that
approximately 135 children died in the state that year as a result of child
abuse or neglect.
Child Abuse in Los Angeles County
Each year in Los Angeles County, the Department of Children and Family Services
(DCFS) investigates over 140,000 suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. In
addition to those cases reported directly to DCFS, the Child Abuse Unit of the
Los Angeles Police Department and local police units also received several
thousand additional reports. (For additional
information, see Appendix 1.)
Summary
Professional concern and focus on child abuse and neglect did not occur until
the early 1960’s in the U.S. In 1962 the federal Children’s Bureau
prepared and disseminated a model child reporting law. By 1970 all 50 states,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands had enacted their
own statutes. Child abuse and neglect typically includes: sexual abuse,
physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.
While the overall violent crime rate continues to fall in the U.S., reports
of child victimization are on the rise nationally. During the period 1993 to
1997, it is estimated that over 5,000 children died from abuse or neglect in
the United States. Nearly three-quarter of a million California children were
the victims of some form of child abuse or neglect during the
late 1990’s.
Authorities in Los Angeles County responded to almost 150,000 reports of child
abuse or neglect in 1999. The two primary reporting agencies in Los Angeles
County are the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Department of
Children and Family Services (DCFS).
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