Spotlight
Child Sex Abuse Cases Languish
A new article in Child Maltreatment by Wendy Walsh finds that cases involving child sexual abuse take an unusually long period of time to be prosecuted and resolved. "We may be finding and prosecuting more child molesters, but if we drag victims through months of anxious waiting, we are not providing true justice for children," says Walsh
Welcome to the Crimes Against Children Research Center
Updated Trends in Child Maltreatment, 2006
New data released by the federal government show continuing national declines in sexual and physical abuse in 2006, but no decline in neglect. Sexual abuse substantiations declined 5% from 2005-2006, capping a downward trend of 53% that began in 1992. Physical abuse declined 3% from 2005-2006, continuing a downward trend that started in 1996. Substantiated neglect cases increased 2% from 2005-2006. The long-term trend in neglect has fluctuated during the period since 1992, but without showing a strong trend either up or down.
While there is currently no consensus on why sexual abuse and physical abuse have declined so substantially, recent research by CCRC researchers suggest some possible factors.
Related Content
2008 International Family Violence and Child Victimization Conference
July 27-29, 2008
Sheraton Harborside, Portsmouth, N.H.
More details »
