Child Maltreatment: Where Are We Now?

Child maltreatment in the United States has long been an issue and still is despite recent efforts for prevention and education. Research has suggested that child maltreatment victimization rates have declined over the last 20-25 years. This thesis aims to explore whether or not childhood maltreatment victimization rates have indeed increased. Using data collected by the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect, child maltreatment data from 1999 and FY 2017 for all 50 states and the District of Columbia is analyzed to determine the degree of change from 1999 to FY 2017. Based on the statistical analysis performed, rates in reports of child maltreatment to child protective services have increased while the rate of total child victims has decreased. The results indicate that fewer children are being victimized but there may be more incidences of victimization per child. Further research is needed to determine why the rates of child maltreatment have increased while the rate of total child victims has decreased.