Preventing Child Maltreatment Fatalities
241 Pages Posted: 7 Mar 2014 Last revised: 8 Oct 2019
Date Written: 2013
Abstract
Every ten seconds, a report of child abuse or neglect is made in the United States, and every day, four children die as a result of these acts or omissions. In the past ten years, over 15,000 children died from maltreatment. Despite these numbers, there is still much to learn about the children who die from abuse and neglect, the individuals who are responsible for their deaths, and the interventions implemented to prevent them. This Article comprehensively reviews child deaths from maltreatment. Compiling, evaluating, and assessing the work of physicians, psychologists, sociologists, lawyers, and child welfare advocates, the Article charts the United States’ progress in eradicating deaths from abuse and neglect, evaluates the impact of prevention mechanisms, analyzes potential methods to enhance current measures, and proposes concrete steps for reform.
Keywords: abuse, neglect, child fatality, child maltreatment, child fatality review boards, citizen review panels, sudden infant death syndrome, shaken baby syndrome
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation