Prevent Child Abuse Rhode Island

The source of the information is the 2011 RHODE ISLAND KIDS COUNT Fact book.

"Indicated case" means that credible evidence exists that child abuse and/or neglect occurred following an investigation of an abuse report. An indicated case can involve more than one child.

Child abuse includes: physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Neglect includes: physical, emotion and medical neglect.

• In 2010 there were 13,069 unduplicated child maltreatment reports/calls to the Department of Children, Youth & Families Hotline. (1-800-RICHILD)



• 53% (6,956) of the reports resulted in a completed investigation and 34% (2,392) of the investigations resulted in a finding of an indicated case of child abuse and/or neglect.



• 79% of all child abuse and neglect cases were a result of neglect. 34% involved a lack of supervision. Neglect includes inadequate food, shelter and/or clothing; medical neglect, emotional neglect; and neglect resulting in physical injuries.



• The victim's parent, relatives or other household member perpetrated 96% of the abuse/neglect. Many abusive parents lack essential parenting skills.



• Families overwhelmed by multiple personal, social or economic problems may lack the resources to meet their children's needs and require a variety of readily accessible services and interventions.



• Connecting families with economic supports, decreasing isolation, and providing easy access to substance abuse and mental health treatments are especially critical.



• Recent studies confirm that child abuse is linked to an increase in poor school performance, juvenile delinquency, running away, substance abuse, suicide, criminal behavior, emotional and mental problems, promiscuity, and teenage pregnancy.