Closing Group Homes, Child Sex Abuse, Suicide & Costs (where you live) |

KARA reports on the issues of child abuse and child protection

This article submitted by Baypath University Student Lauren Begin

Approximately 41.2% of children and youth experienced physical assault in the last year, with 10.1% sustaining assault-related injuries.
About 2% of children and youth experienced sexual assault or abuse in the last year. Girls aged 14 to 17 years had significantly higher rates (10.7%).
Around 13.7% of children experienced maltreatment by caregivers, including 3.7% subjected to physical abuse.
Property victimization affected 24.1% of children and youth, including vandalism and theft.
Roughly 22.4% of children and youth witnessed violence in their family or community. Witnessing family assaults and community assaults were common.
A significant portion (57.7%) of children and youth experienced or witnessed at least one type of victimization in the last year, with many exposed to multiple forms.
Emotional abuse by caregivers was frequent, with 8% experiencing it in the last year and 25.7% over their lifetimes. Physical abuse by caregivers affected 3.7% in the last year and 18.2% over lifetimes, particularly among older youth.

Over the study period, 20,346 physical child abuse encounters were reported by 47 children’s hospitals.
An interrupted time series model predicted a decline in physical child abuse cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a deficit of 2,645 reported cases.
Children presenting with physical child abuse during the pandemic had increased odds of requiring ICU admission (increased by 1.26) and traumatic brain injury in those under 5 years old (increased by 1.33).
The study found associations between younger age, public insurance, geographic location, and increased physical child abuse during the pandemic.
Reported cases of physical child abuse in children under 5 years old decreased by 724 cases, and those with specific ICD10 diagnosis codes for child abuse decreased by 334 cases during the pandemic.

During COVID-19, there were 392 pediatric trauma encounters.
The average number of pediatric trauma encounters pre-COVID-19 (2015-2019) was 467.6.
Overall trauma admissions and ED trauma encounters were significantly lower during COVID-19.
Burn injury admissions increased from 64 to 79 during COVID-19.
Penetrating trauma encounters increased from 34 to 43 during COVID-19.
Blunt trauma encounters decreased from 359 to 270 during COVID-19.

The rates of firearm-related homicide and suicide among youth increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbating the issue.
Boys account for 90% of firearm-related deaths among youth, and youth of color, particularly Black youth, are disproportionately affected.

Out of 452 pediatric homicides, there were 219 cases of fatal child abuse. Of these cases, 60% involved biological parents, and 29% involved surrogate parents.
Children killed by surrogate parents were generally older (4 vs. 3 years), more often male (71% vs. 51%), and more likely to have survived the initial injury and reached the emergency department before death (96% vs. 69%). They were also less likely to have a medical comorbidity (2% vs. 11%).
Surrogate parents who committed fatal child abuse were more likely to be male (90% vs. 48%) and more likely to use a firearm to inflict the injury (20% vs. 13%).
The race/ethnicity of the child was not associated with the parent’s relationship.
Child abuse accounted for half of all pediatric homicides.
The findings suggest that identifying abuse in a timely manner could potentially prevent some of these deaths, as most children had a history of abuse.

There were 106 fatalities that met the study criteria. The average age of the victims was 5.9 years, and 74.6% of them were male.
The most common suspected perpetrators of maltreatment-related fatalities were biological mothers (35.2%), and most perpetrators were White (55.7%).
The findings showed that children with disabilities who died as a result of abuse were more likely to have autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disability, or other physical impairment. Physical abuse was the most common type of abuse resulting in death.

The study estimates 40,387 new cases of substantiated CSA in 2015, with 30,290 cases involving female victims and 10,097 cases involving male victims.
The study estimates that there were 20 deaths resulting directly from CSA in 2015. The total lifetime costs associated with these fatal cases were approximately $23.63 million.
Child health care costs: $579.85 million for females, $144.97 million for males.
Adult health care costs: $399.10 million for females, $99.78 million for males.
Productivity losses: $6.77 billion for females.
Child welfare costs: $336.56 million for females, $84.14 million for males.
Violence/crime costs (including assault, robbery, burglary, theft): $56.09 million for females, $14.02 million for males.
Special education costs: $151.84 million for females, $37.96 million for males.
Suicide deaths: $980.27 million for females, $362.73 million for males.
When combining both fatal and nonfatal cases, the study estimates the total lifetime economic burden of CSA to be approximately $9.34 billion. This includes $8.58 billion for female victims and $758.60 million for male victims.

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Closing Group Homes, Child Sex Abuse, Suicide & Costs (where you live)

Mount Pleasant officials want state regulators to close Westchester County child treatment center

Mary L. Phan: To combat the youth mental health crisis, embrace mindfulness

“The 2021 Utah Adolescent Health Report found nearly one-in-five students seriously considered suicide. More than 18% reported self-harm, and 35% said they felt sad or helpless.”

See next link for statistics from the 2021 Utah Adolescent Health Report referenced in this article

35.1% of Utah students in grades 8, 10, and 12 reported feeling sad or hopeless.

27.2% of Utah students in grades 8, 10, and 12 experience psychological distress.

18.6% of Utah students in grades 8, 10, and 12 reported self-harm.

19.0% of Utah students in grades 8, 10, and 12 reported that they had seriously considered attempting suicide at some point during the past 12 months.

14.4% of Utah students in grades 8, 10, and 12 reported making a plan about how they would attempt suicide within the past 12 months.

7.0% of Utah students in grades 8, 10, and 12 reported that they had made one or more suicide attempts in the past 12 months.

36.7% of Utah students reported feeling anxious, sad, or hopeless in the past year due to COVID-19. Female students (48.5%) were significantly more likely to report having these feelings than male students (23.3%).

Adverse childhood experiences, traumatic events, and mental health among adults at two outpatient psychiatric facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa: a cross-sectional analysis

As the mental health crisis in children and teens worsens, the dire shortage of mental health providers is preventing young people from getting the help they need

“From 2007 through 2021, suicide rates among young people ages 10 to 24 increased by 62%. From 2014 to 2021, homicide rates rose by 60%. The situation is so grim that in October 2021, health care professionals declared a national emergency in child mental health.”

Emergency room doctors beg for help treating children with mental health illnesses

The number of adolescents seeking psychiatric emergency care in her ER has grown from approximately 30 a month in recent years to 30 a day

The Management of Children and Youth With Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Emergencies

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Maltreated Children Grown Up: The Influence of Neighborhood

People who went through abuse or neglect had more PTSD symptoms (1.27 times more likely)

Those who were abused or neglected had a higher chance of getting a lifetime PTSD diagnosis (1.45 times more likely)

Growing up in better neighborhoods meant fewer PTSD symptoms (0.78 times less likely)

Abuse or neglect combined with tough neighborhoods might lower the chance of a lifetime PTSD diagnosis (20% less likely) *I was surprised, but assume because it “toughens the mindset”*

Abuse or neglect combined with tough neighborhoods meant fewer PTSD symptoms (0.69 times less likely)

COVID-19 and the unseen pandemic of child abuse

From the study:

More than 55% of adolescents experienced emotional abuse during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic alone, with socially vulnerable adolescents disproportionately harmed.

These results were compared with a similar pre-lockdown survey which found 5.5% physical abuse and 13.9% emotional abuse in 2013.

Effects of COVID-19 Restrictions on Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health: A Scoping Review

The prevalence of depression among females was 33.9% compared to 28.9% in males.

The prevalence of depression among children and adolescents was reported as 29% based on 12 studies. This varied between age groups, with 34.4% for those aged 13-18 and 11.8% for those under 12.

The prevalence of anxiety was reported as 26% across 13 studies. Similar to depression, prevalence differed by age, with 29.1% for adolescents aged 13-18 and 15.7% for those under 12.

Violence, Crime, and Abuse Exposure in a National Sample of Children and Youth

The article discusses the findings of the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence II, (conducted in 2011-2013 so it is a bit older but still important stats), & aims to provide insights into childhood exposure to violence, crime, and abuse.

Approximately 41.2% of children and youth experienced physical assault in the last year, with 10.1% sustaining assault-related injuries.

About 2% of children and youth experienced sexual assault or abuse in the last year. Girls aged 14 to 17 years had significantly higher rates (10.7%).

Around 13.7% of children experienced maltreatment by caregivers, including 3.7% subjected to physical abuse.

Property victimization affected 24.1% of children and youth, including vandalism and theft.

Roughly 22.4% of children and youth witnessed violence in their family or community. Witnessing family assaults and community assaults were common.

A significant portion (57.7%) of children and youth experienced or witnessed at least one type of victimization in the last year, with many exposed to multiple forms.

Emotional abuse by caregivers was frequent, with 8% experiencing it in the last year and 25.7% over their lifetimes. Physical abuse by caregivers affected 3.7% in the last year and 18.2% over lifetimes, particularly among older youth.

Child Maltreatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Rapid Review

Girl, 5, has not been seen since return to biological family

One year into COVID-19: What have we learned about child maltreatment reports and child protective service responses?

Most important takeaway:

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on presentation and severity of traumatic injury due to physical child abuse across US children’s hospitals

Over the study period, 20,346 physical child abuse encounters were reported by 47 children’s hospitals.

An interrupted time series model predicted a decline in physical child abuse cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a deficit of 2,645 reported cases.

Children presenting with physical child abuse during the pandemic had increased odds of requiring ICU admission (increased by 1.26) and traumatic brain injury in those under 5 years old (increased by 1.33).

The study found associations between younger age, public insurance, geographic location, and increased physical child abuse during the pandemic.

Reported cases of physical child abuse in children under 5 years old decreased by 724 cases, and those with specific ICD10 diagnosis codes for child abuse decreased by 334 cases during the pandemic.

Changes in pediatric trauma during COVID-19 stay-at-home epoch at a tertiary pediatric hospital

The article explores the impact of stay-at-home regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic on patterns of pediatric trauma.

During COVID-19, there were 392 pediatric trauma encounters.

The average number of pediatric trauma encounters pre-COVID-19 (2015-2019) was 467.6.

Overall trauma admissions and ED trauma encounters were significantly lower during COVID-19.

Burn injury admissions increased from 64 to 79 during COVID-19.

Penetrating trauma encounters increased from 34 to 43 during COVID-19.

Blunt trauma encounters decreased from 359 to 270 during COVID-19.

How much did lockdown help Arthur Labinjo-Hughes’ killers escape notice?

The Hidden Pandemic of Family Violence During COVID-19: Unsupervised Learning of Tweets

Youth Firearm Injury: A Review for Pediatric Critical Care Clinicians

The article focuses on firearm injuries among youth in the United States and the role of pediatric critical care clinicians in prevention and treatment.

The rates of firearm-related homicide and suicide among youth increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbating the issue.

Boys account for 90% of firearm-related deaths among youth, and youth of color, particularly Black youth, are disproportionately affected.

The study investigated the characteristics of fatal child abuse involving biological parents and surrogate parents. The researchers analyzed data from the Georgia National Violent Death Reporting System on homicides of children under 18 years old from 2011 to 2017.

Out of 452 pediatric homicides, there were 219 cases of fatal child abuse. Of these cases, 60% involved biological parents, and 29% involved surrogate parents.

Children killed by surrogate parents were generally older (4 vs. 3 years), more often male (71% vs. 51%), and more likely to have survived the initial injury and reached the emergency department before death (96% vs. 69%). They were also less likely to have a medical comorbidity (2% vs. 11%).

Surrogate parents who committed fatal child abuse were more likely to be male (90% vs. 48%) and more likely to use a firearm to inflict the injury (20% vs. 13%).

The race/ethnicity of the child was not associated with the parent’s relationship.

Child abuse accounted for half of all pediatric homicides.

The findings suggest that identifying abuse in a timely manner could potentially prevent some of these deaths, as most children had a history of abuse.

Abuse or neglect combined with tough neighborhoods might lower the chance of a lifetime PTSD diagnosis (20% less likely) I was surprised, but assume because it “toughens the mindset”