From 1972 - 1997, 25 years over 46 million child maltreatment allegations have been made. Of these allegations 30-40% have been substantiated. The number of allegations have increased over 500% annually, while the population of the USA has increased only 27.5% or 57.7 million people.

267,636,061 - 1997 77,301 million under 19 years,
272,123,686 - 1999 78,457 million under19 years.

It is important to note that estimates are not completely accurate due to differences in states reporting or not reporting, investigation procedures and whether or not families are counted more than once in an annual report if reports against them have been made multiple times.

For the sake of argument let's deal with a 50% (23 million families) number of allegations that are unsubstantiated. This leaves 43 million family systems scrutinized, judged and disrupted during the investigation and findings process over the last 25 years. Presently each year over 1.5 million US families have unsubstantiated allegations and how the investigation is handled will affect many aspects of this families future and quality of life.

Following is a review of the current trends in child abuse reporting and fatalities in the United States, taken from the 1997 annual 50 States Survey done by the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse.

From 1993-1997 a period of 5 years reports of allegations have increased by 128,000 or 4%. Substantiated cases have increased by 45,000 cases and services provided to clients have remained around 60-70%.

Of significant interest is that sexual abuse substantiated allegations have decreased while neglect substantiated allegations have increased. By comparison to national averages of child abuse and neglect reports from 1993-1996 Minnesota remained less than national average in percentage change.

Up 7% in 92-93 New legislation being written
Down 6% in 93-94
Down 4% in 94-95
Down 3% in 95-96

There are yet no published reports for 1997.

Credits: Jodee Kulp and Judy Howell