A recent report, Estimated Annual Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect estimates that there has been a 19% decrease in the number of substantiated child abuse and neglect victims nation-wide. This report is the third in a series of economic impact studies, following previous reports from 2001 and 2007.
The report was co-authored by Dr. Richard Gelles, an internationally known expert in domestic violence and child welfare from the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Staci Perlman of Kutztown University. The economic impact analysis just released by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA) estimates that despite these improvements, child abuse and neglect will cost taxpayers nearly $80 billion in 2012 alone. (Frequently Asked Questions)
These costs result from both the short and long-term consequences of abuse and neglect. In calculating the total costs of this report, a number of factors are assessed. Direct costs totaling $33 billion include hospitalization, law enforcement, mental health costs, and costs incurred by the child welfare system. Indirect costs including special education, early intervention, adult homelessness, mental health and health care, juvenile and adult criminal justice costs, and lost worker productivity total nearly $47 billion.
The PCAA 2012 Cost Report by Gelles and Perlman reminds us how child abuse and neglect affects us all. When using the Gelles and Perlman cost formula, we estimate that child abuse and neglect costs New Hampshire between $252,421,000 and $333,737,000 annually.
The unfortunate irony is that child abuse and neglect is preventable and, so then, are these costs.
The fact is, these costs, and the adverse outcomes associated with not preventing child abuse and neglect, are unacceptable. We still have a lot of work to do to ensure the healthy development of all children.
If we truly want to reduce homelessness, crime, mental and physical health problems, then we need to start with preventing child abuse and neglect before it ever occurs. Healthy children result in healthy communities and a strong and vibrant Granite State.
We can achieve this goal by investing in evidence-based prevention efforts including Healthy Families NH home visiting, Period of PURPLE Crying abusive head trauma prevention, and Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework initiatives. These programs can support healthy child development in safe, stable, and nurturing families and communities.
"Wouldn't it make sense to develop a strategy that focuses on a state commitment to actually prevent child abuse and neglect before it ever occurs? If we could decrease these annual costs by 10% in the next 5 years, think of the great things we could do for children and their families, that would ultimately benefit not just our state and the communities we work in, but society as a whole." James M. Hmurovich, CEO & President, Prevent Child Abuse America
Keryn Bernard-Kriegl
Executive Director
NH Children's Trust/Prevent Child Abuse NH
The New Hampshire Children's Trust, the state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, advances its mission - to Lead NH's drive to eliminate child abuse and neglect - by implementing universal prevention programs with the general population, and secondary prevention strategies targeted to individuals or families where there is a higher risk of maltreatment. These practical, cost-effective approaches protect the welfare of our greatest resource - our children.
