It is difficult to get an accurate picture of the prevalence of child abuse and neglect nationwide because of the number of organizations and agencies which keep such statistics and because we know there are many cases of abuse and neglect which go unreported. Nevertheless, we do know that*:
- In 2002, over three million reports of child abuse and neglect were made in the U.S. Approximately 896,000 children were found to have been victims of abuse or neglect.
- 3 children die in the United States each day from abuse or neglect.
- In 2003 in Wisconsin there were: 40,473 reports of child abuse
- 1,336 substantiated cases of physical abuse
- 4,076 substantiated cases of sexual abuse
- 36 substantiated cases of emotional abuse
- 2,546 substantiated cases of child neglect
- 12 substantiated cases of a child having died because of child abuse or neglect
*Source: Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin; www.preventchildabusewi.org
In Wisconsin, each county has been delegated the role of investigating reports of child abuse and neglect and providing services to child(ren) and families to ensure the children's immediate safety. In Racine County, the Child Protective Services (CPS) Unit of the Human Services Department, carries out this role. The primary function of the CPS staff is to investigate reports of abuse and neglect of children, to ensure their immediate safety, and to work with family members to address and resolve the parenting issues that may have precipitated the abuse/neglect. Preference is given to providing services to the family while the child is in the home. If safety cannot be assured in the home, however, the child may be temporarily placed in a relatives home or foster care.
If abuse/neglect is substantiated, or if the family requests services, an ongoing case manager will be assigned to the family to assess the need for further services under either a Voluntary Service Agreement or a court order. If an abuse/neglect report is substantiated, the District Attorney's Office files a petition for a Child in Need of Protection and Services order (CHIPS). The case manager will recommend services, assessments and placement options to the Juvenile Court. The Juvenile Court judge will make the final determination as to where the child will live during the course of the court order and in what services the child and parent(s) will participate. The case manager will work with the family throughout the course of the court order and assure that parent(s) understand what they have to do in order to get their child(ren) back home or to successfully complete the court order. The case manager will also report progress and the level of cooperation of the family members to the Court.