Child abuse and neglect (CA/N) is a widespread problem that has devastating consequences both on individuals and on the community at large.  The impact of CA/N on the community, though difficult to measure, is generally calculated in terms of “direct costs,” such as medical and therapeutic expenses and the cost of foster care, and in “indirect costs,” such as lower academic achievement, adult criminality, and long-term mental health issues.  Although dollar estimates on its impact vary, it is impossible to overstate the deleterious consequences CA/N has on the life of an individual or family system.

Nationwide, instances of child abuse and neglect that cause demonstrable harm have declined somewhat since the 1970s, but the incidence of some measures of endangerment have increased.  The NIS-4 reports that the number of children experiencing emotional neglect more than doubled between 1993-2006 (NIS-4).

Prevention measures generally target parenting, parent behavioral and mental health, and public awareness.  Programs and services which hope to lessen the effects of CA/N look for risk and protective factors – known demographic and social indicators that suggest a child may be at risk of CA/N.

In St. Louis

In 2008, there were over 15,500 reported cases of CA/N in the 5-county St. Louis metropolitan area (IL and MO).  Though many of these cases are determined to be “unsubstantiated,” it is estimated that most child abuse and neglect goes unreported.  Reputable national studies estimate that actual CA/N rates range from 3 times to 16 times the reported rates (CWIG).  Of the 15,500 local reports in 2008, about 10% were substantiated and another 50% warranted a continued family assessment.

The 4-county metropolitan area in MO (St. Charles, Jefferson, St. Louis City, and St. Louis County) accounts for 22% of the State of Missouri’s substantiated cases.  In Illinois, St. Clair and Madison Counties together account for 4.6% of the state’s substantiated cases.  In MO, the current numbers of victims and reports are comparable to the numbers from 10 years ago.  In IL, the number of victims and the number of reports have both dropped steadily over the last 10 years.

Reporters

An abused child first enters child protective services at the report of a legally mandated reporter or by an acquaintance of the child.  The great majority of reports are made by 6 categories of people:

MO Source: Children’s Division Annual Report, 2008.  IL Source: DCFS, CA/N Statistics, 2009.

Types of Abuse

Of substantiated reports in Missouri (2008), the following prevalence occurred:

Source: Administration for Children and Families. ACF Questions and Answers Support.

Local St. Louis Prevention & Treatment

The child welfare system in the metro area has a long and well-established history.  Several organizations that currently offer CA/N programs and services have existed since the early to mid 1800s, when the community first organized efforts to care for orphaned children.  The metro area has multiple agencies and organizations, both large and small, which are currently operating programs and services that target child abuse prevention and treatment.  Much of the community’s resources are focused on foster care and adoption, as the economic need and service consumption of children removed from their homes is so great.

Each state government operates a division to address CA/N; Children’s Division (CD) in Missouri, and the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Illinois.  In 2009, the CD achieved accreditation through HB 1453, by the Council of Accreditation (COA).

Locally, there are a few community organizations that focus on systemic solutions to child abuse and neglect.  The St. Louis Family and Community Partnership (SLFCP) is an inter-agency community collaboration that targets CA/N and other child welfare issues.  This group is currently transitioning from a federally funded initiative to a free-standing community collaborative, with the support of over 40 participating agencies.  The SLFCP manages active work groups to target specific child welfare issues.

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