The Canadian Incidence Study Of Reported Child Abuse And Neglect

This report presents results from the first nation-wide study to examine the incidence of reported child maltreatment and the characteristics of children & families investigated by Canadian child welfare services. Incidence estimates presented in the report are based on a survey compiled by child welfare workers of a representative sample of child maltreatment investigations conducted in 1998. The introduction describes the rationale & objectives of the survey, provides an overview of the Canadian child welfare system, and reviews the definitional framework used for the study. Chapter 2 describes the study methodology and chapter 3 presents estimates of incidence of reported child maltreatment by category and level of substantiation. Chapter 4 examines the characteristics of these categories in terms of the nature, severity, and duration of injury, and the identity of the alleged perpetrators. Investigation outcomes, provision of services, placement, police involvement, and applications to court are discussed in chapter 5. Chapter 6 describes child characteristics, including categories of maltreatment by age & sex and by child functioning. Chapter 7 describes caregiver characteristics, including age & sex, income & income source, housing, and selected determinants of health. Referral & agency characteristics are described in chapter 8. The final chapter summarizes key findings and outlines directions for further research. Appendices include a glossary, copies of research forms used in the study, case vignettes, and tables showing variance estimates & confidence levels.

1. STUDY OVERVIEW AND METHODS: Background and objectives; Purpose of this report; Definitional framework for the CIS [Canadian Incidence Study].; Methods; Scope and Limitations. 2. CHILD MALTREATMENT IN CANADA: INCIDENCE AND CHARACTERITICS: Total child investigations and overall rates of substantiation; Categories of maltreatment; Characteristics of Substantiated Maltreatment.