Declining Child Maltreatment and Child Victimization Rates: What is Responsible?
Since the early 1990s, various forms of child maltreatment and child victimization have been declining in the United States. From approximately 1993 through 2004, the following trends have been noted: sexual abuse substantiations declined by 49%, sexual assaults of teenagers declined by 67%, and physical abuse substantiations were down 43%. Also during this time period, juvenile victim homicides declined 50% and with dropping rates of domestic violence (down 49%), it is likely that fewer children were exposed to violence in the home.
What is responsible for these trends? Are these real trends, or as some have speculated, simply due to decreased reporting to agencies, reduced funding/staffing, or statistical artifacts? Analyzing data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, the authors found evidence that these declining child maltreatment rates do reflect, at least in part, actual trends. In support of this finding, the authors note that decline in agency statistics parallels the decline in victim self-reports (in the National Crime Victimization Survey), and they highlight the fact that declines have been pervasive in regional and demographic terms (e.g., the declines were not confined to certain racial or ethnic groups, or urban/rural populations). In addition, these findings parallel data on other child welfare indicators, which show decreases in the numbers of teen suicides and runaways.
The authors of this article review a number of explanations that have been offered for the aforementioned declines. Four factors stood out as having to do little with the broad decline in child victimizations: demographic changes, capital punishment, gun control policies, and the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s and early 1990s. However, several factors were identified as likely contributors to the decline, including more awareness about child maltreatment, improved parenting practices, economic improvements, greater numbers of agents of social intervention, and more effective treatment for mental health problems, including the increased use of pharmacological interventions. More specifically, economic prosperity has resulted in job growth, increased wages, and fewer children living in poverty, while the increasing number of social workers, child protection workers, and police offers have been instrumental in child abuse prevention and education efforts. Interestingly, the availability and affordability of psychiatric medications may also play a role in the decline, as they may alleviate the effects of depression and poor impulse control. The authors noted that based on empirical evidence reviewed, these three factors (economic prosperity, increasing numbers of agents of social change, and psychiatric medication) merit further investigation.
The authors suggest number of implications for both public policy and practice. They highlight the likely contribution of child protective services workers to the declining rates of child maltreatment. Further, while child protection professionals may not have expertise in certain areas, such as drug treatment, they can play a critical role by promoting the dissemination of these efforts. Finally, while the authors state that it is their view that child welfare advocates should draw attention to the declines in child victimization, by any standard, the rates are still “disturbingly high.”
Finkelhor, D., & Jones, L. (2006). Why have child maltreatment and child victimization
declined? Journal of Social Issues, 26, 685-716.
