Mantz, Erika

English

University of New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository
Media Relations Administrative Offices
4-11-2006
New Child Maltreatment Statistics Show
Continuing Decline
Erika Mantz
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/news
This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has
been accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more
information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.
Recommended Citation
Mantz, Erika, "New Child Maltreatment Statistics Show Continuing Decline" (2006). UNH Today. 1085.
https://scholars.unh.edu/news/1085
9/13/17, 2)16 PMNew Child Maltreatment Statistics Show Continuing Decline
Page 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2006/april/em_060411child.html
 
New Child Maltreatment Statistics Show Continuing
Decline
Contact:  Erika Mantz 
603-862-1567
UNH Media Relations
April 11, 2006
DURHAM, N.H. -- Several forms of child maltreatment showed a marked decline nationwide,
according to the most recent data released from the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.
Rates of substantiated sexual abuse dropped by 6 percent in 2004 compared to the previous
year, capping a 49 percent total decline since 1992. Rates of physical abuse declined by 11
percent from 2003 to 2004, making for a total 43 percent reduction since a peak in 1992.
Neglect also declined 6 percent over the one year period.
“These are very encouraging,” said David Finkelhor, professor of sociology and director of the
Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, who has been
studying these declines.
“For several years people thought these declines were statistical flukes or they attributed
them to changes in the way cases were being investigated or reported.” But Finkelhor and his
colleagues’ investigation into the details of the declines, in addition to their breadth and
durability, have convinced him that fewer children really are being maltreated.
He said other sources of data have shown parallel declines, and other related indicators like
running away, delinquency, and teen suicide have also improved.
Particularly notable, according to Finkelhor, is the fact that the year-to-year declines in 2004
were the largest since 1999, and that neglect also went down. In the past, neglect did not
decline along with other forms of maltreatment.
Finkelhor thinks that the declines are related to a variety of social changes that have occurred
in the last generation. He cites more awareness about child maltreatment, improved parenting
practices, and more effective treatment for family and mental health problems, including
psychiatric medications.
The data showing the decline come from state child protection agencies and are aggregated
by the federal government. They cover offenses against children committed primarily by
parents and other caretakers. They do not cover most of the crimes against children
committed by strangers and more distantly related individuals.
For example, Finkelhor notes that Internet crimes against children have probably been on the
rise, but would not be reflected in the new child maltreatment statistics.
9/13/17, 2)16 PMNew Child Maltreatment Statistics Show Continuing Decline
Page 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2006/april/em_060411child.html
The new data are available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm04/index.htm
For further information about child maltreatment declines please see: Finkelhor, D., & Jones,
L.M. (2004). Explanations for the decline in child sexual abuse cases. Juvenile Justice Bulletin
– NCJ199298 (pgs. 1-12). Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office.
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/199298.pdf
Editors: David Finkelhor can be reached at (603) 862-862-2761 or david.finkelhor@unh.edu.
A table showing child maltreatment trends by state is available at:
http://www.unh.edu/news/img/cac/Decline_table.doc and graphs of the trend are available
at: http://www.unh.edu/news/img/cac/US_Maltreatment_Trends.ppt.
 


New Child Maltreatment Statistics Show Continuing Decline

UNH Scholars' Repository

University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryMedia Relations Administrative Offices4-11-2006New Child Maltreatment Statistics ShowContinuing DeclineErika MantzFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For moreinformation, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationMantz, Erika, "New Child Maltreatment Statistics Show Continuing Decline" (2006). UNH Today. 1085.https://scholars.unh.edu/news/10859/13/17, 2)16 PMNew Child Maltreatment Statistics Show Continuing DeclinePage 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2006/april/em_060411child.html New Child Maltreatment Statistics Show ContinuingDeclineContact:  Erika Mantz 603-862-1567UNH Media RelationsApril 11, 2006DURHAM, N.H. -- Several forms of child maltreatment showed a marked decline nationwide,according to the most recent data released from the U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices.Rates of substantiated sexual abuse dropped by 6 percent in 2004 compared to the previousyear, capping a 49 percent total decline since 1992. Rates of physical abuse declined by 11percent from 2003 to 2004, making for a total 43 percent reduction since a peak in 1992.Neglect also declined 6 percent over the one year period.“These are very encouraging,” said David Finkelhor, professor of sociology and director of theCrimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, who has beenstudying these declines.“For several years people thought these declines were statistical flukes or they attributedthem to changes in the way cases were being investigated or reported.” But Finkelhor and hiscolleagues’ investigation into the details of the declines, in addition to their breadth anddurability, have convinced him that fewer children really are being maltreated.He said other sources of data have shown parallel declines, and other related indicators likerunning away, delinquency, and teen suicide have also improved.Particularly notable, according to Finkelhor, is the fact that the year-to-year declines in 2004were the largest since 1999, and that neglect also went down. In the past, neglect did notdecline along with other forms of maltreatment.Finkelhor thinks that the declines are related to a variety of social changes that have occurredin the last generation. He cites more awareness about child maltreatment, improved parentingpractices, and more effective treatment for family and mental health problems, includingpsychiatric medications.The data showing the decline come from state child protection agencies and are aggregatedby the federal government. They cover offenses against children committed primarily byparents and other caretakers. They do not cover most of the crimes against childrencommitted by strangers and more distantly related individuals.For example, Finkelhor notes that Internet crimes against children have probably been on therise, but would not be reflected in the new child maltreatment statistics.9/13/17, 2)16 PMNew Child Maltreatment Statistics Show Continuing DeclinePage 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2006/april/em_060411child.htmlThe new data are available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm04/index.htmFor further information about child maltreatment declines please see: Finkelhor, D., & Jones,L.M. (2004). Explanations for the decline in child sexual abuse cases. Juvenile Justice Bulletin– NCJ199298 (pgs. 1-12). Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office.http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/199298.pdfEditors: David Finkelhor can be reached at (603) 862-862-2761 or david.finkelhor@unh.edu.A table showing child maltreatment trends by state is available at:http://www.unh.edu/news/img/cac/Decline_table.doc and graphs of the trend are availableat: http://www.unh.edu/news/img/cac/US_Maltreatment_Trends.ppt. 

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New Child Maltreatment Statistics Show Continuing Decline

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