Very young children are at the highest risk for child maltreatment, according to a report published earlier this year by the Minnesota Department of Health.
The Child Maltreatment Violence Data Brief, 2001-2002 considered incidents of maltreatment identified by Minnesota hospitals, as well as cases substantiated by county child protective services (CPS) agencies. The report defined child maltreatment as physical, sexual, or psychological abuse, or neglect of an individual age 9 or younger by a parent, guardian, or other caregiver.
Among the CPS-verified incidents, the majority of victims were under age 5, and children under 3 comprised the majority of hospital-treated incidents. Birth, step-, and foster parents were the most common abusers in both types of reported cases.
CPS agencies reported more than 11,500 incidents involving more than 10,000 children in 2001 and 2002.
Minnesota hospitals identified 600 occurrences involving just over 500 children.
“It's remarkable how so few of these cases actually show up in hospitals,” said Maureen Holmes, a surveillance coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Health.
If you suspect that a child is being maltreated, call your county social service agency or the police. Call 911 if you believe the child is at risk of immediate harm.
