A study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) shows that about 1 in 50 U.S. infants are confirmed victims of child abuse or neglect in a year.
The study, believed to be the first to focus on just infants, studied confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect from between October 2005 and September 2006 (the most recent period the data was available).
Researchers also found that nearly a third of those who had been abused or neglected were one week old or younger when the abuse or neglect occurred.
The vast majority (86.9%) of abuse cases reported for these youngest babies were reported by professionals such as medical personnel and social services. Of older infants, maltreatment was reported by medical personnel (60.8%), law enforcement(21.4%), social services personnel (15.1%), parents/other relatives (8.8%), and friends/neighbors (3.2%).
The CDC and ACF used a national database of cases that had been verified by protective service agencies in 45 states and counted more than 91,000 infant victims of abuse and neglect in a 12-month period.
In total, approximately 3.6 million children younger than 18 years old were subjects of maltreatment (abuse or neglect) investigations in fiscal year 2006. Maltreatment was substantiated by CPS agencies in approximately 905,000 (25.1%) children. Of those confirmed cases, approximately 10% were infants under the age of one year.
A total of 47,117 (51.6%) victims were male. By race/ethnicity, 39,768 (43.6%) infant victims were white; 23,008 (25.2%) were black or African American; 17,582 (19.3%) were Hispanic; 1,141 (1.3%) were American Indian or Alaska Native; and 583 (0.6%) were Asian. Multiple race/ethnicity was identified for 2,874 (3.1%) of the infant victims, and 6,322 (6.9%) were of unknown race/ethnicity.
This study only examined the numbers of infants whose abuse had been reported and confirmed. It is unknown what percentage of infants are abused each year and not reported.
The best way to help babies is to help parents. If you know a family where you have concerns about their abilities to care for their baby, offer your support and gentle guidance. Talk about your own experiences with those early days with a new baby and let them know it's normal to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Offer to babysit, share parenting tips, give them positive parenting books and otherwise help give them tools and friendship during this crucial time. You can make a real difference in the lives of the parents and the baby.
If you suspect child abuse, call your local social service agency or police department.
Visit Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota for more on how you can help stop child abuse. In Blue Earth County, you can find out how to report suspected child abuse, find parenting support classes, contact the crisis nursery and more here.
See also:
Researchers report on types of punishment used on children in the US and worldwide
Another child's death linked to Pearls and "To Train Up a Child"
On roses and child abuse: Can abuse survivors be good parents?
Study shows cuddling babies helps new moms with post-partum depression
Attachment Parenting 101: How to survive feeling exhausted and overwhelmed with a new baby
Researchers say babies sleep better when parents are emotionally responsive
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