by Prevent Child Abuse America

About the author: Prevent Child Abuse America is an association dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse.

In 1997, an estimated 3,195,000 children were reported to child protective services (CPS) agencies as alleged victims of child maltreatment. This figure is based on information collected from 35 states which indicated that each state averaged a 1.7% increase in reports between 1996 and 1997. Nationwide, the rate of children reported for child abuse or neglect increased 4% during this period, from 45 per 1,000 children in 1992 to 47 per 1,000 in 1997. Overall, the total number of reports nationwide has increased 41% since 1988.

The national increase in children reported between 1996 and 1997 is somewhat higher than the increase observed between 1995 and 1996. Overall, 17 states reported increases in the number of reports received last year, down from 18 states which reported increases in the 1996 survey. Of these 17 states...