At what age is a child most likely to be the victim of maltreatment in the United States quizlet?

Risk Factors for Child Abuse and Neglect

At what age is a child most likely to be the victim of maltreatment in the United States quizlet?

Research has revealed many risk factors or attributes associated with child maltreatment. These risk factors may potentially contribute to child abuse and neglect.

Parent or Caregiver Risk Factors:

  1. Individual Characteristics: An individual’s risk factors may include mental health issues, adverse response to stress, and trauma history.
  2. Substance Abuse: Studies have shown that between one and two-thirds of child maltreatment cases involve substance use to some degree.
  3. Teen Parents: Studies of physical abuse, in particular, tell us that higher rates of child abuse occur when parents are in their teenage years.
  4. Additional factors contributing to the risk factors listed above include lower socioeconomic status, lack of social support, and high-stress levels.
  1. The child’s age, health—physical, mental, and emotional—and social development may increase susceptibility to abuse and neglect. Given their size, early development status, and need for constant care, infants and young children are more vulnerable to certain types of maltreatment, including abusive head trauma and physical or medical neglect.

Parenting Methods and Household Risk Factors:

  1. The attitudes of the parents, family structure, and approach to raising the child(ren) are all potential risks for abuse and neglect.
  2. Domestic violence is a frequent contributor to child maltreatment. In 30% to 60% of families where spousal abuse in involved, mistreatment of the child also occurs.

Community and Environmental Risk Factors:

  1. The child’s neighborhood conditions, such as low socioeconomic status, presence of violence in his/her vicinity, and social attitudes, can place the child at greater risk for maltreatment.
  2. Poverty can add to the probability of abuse and neglect. If this condition is added to other risk factors, including depression, substance abuse, and social isolation, the chances of maltreatment increase.

Other factors occurring simultaneously—parent and child characteristics, family situations, community violence and conditions—increase the risk as well.

Child abuse isn’t limited to one race/ethnic group, gender or age group, or social or economic status. Additional risk factors include a history of abuse or neglect as a child, physical or mental illness, family crisis or stress, unemployment, family isolation, and inadequate parenting skills.

An abused child may exhibit signs of guilt, shame or confusion. If the abuse involves a parent, relative, or family friend, it is likely he/she will be afraid to tell anyone about the maltreatment and develop a noticeable fear or discomfort when around parents, adult caregivers or family friends. It is vital to be on the alert for such red flags.

How can we mitigate these risks?

“Protective factors are conditions or attributes of individuals, families, communities, or the larger society that mitigate risk and promote healthy development and well-being.” – Child Welfare.gov.

CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County is dedicated to protecting the best interests of every abused or neglected child and ultimately break the cycle of child abuse, one child at a time. Someday, child abuse and neglect will hopefully be eliminated completely. Until that time, CASA needs volunteers to make a difference in the lives of children who have suffered from abuse and/or neglect.

If you suspect a child is the victim of abuse or neglect, call the Texas Abuse Hotline toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nationwide: 1-800-252-5400. Or report through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Service’s secure website and get a response within 24 hours: https://www.txabusehotline.org/Login/Default.aspx. (Please note, Texas DFPS cannot accept email reports of suspected abuse or neglect.)

If the child is in immediate danger, do not hesitate. Call 911.

The earlier assistance is provided, the better the outcome for the child.

CASA is dedicated to protecting the best interests of every abused or neglected child and ultimately break the cycle of child abuse, one child at a time. We need caring volunteers to assist with the numerous cases of child abuse and neglect.

Join Us at Our Next Conversations for CASA to Learn More

What age child is most likely to be the victim of maltreatment?

under age 3 comprised less than 1.0 percent of victims, and percentages increased for older victims. Children age 14 to 17 had the highest percentage of victims at 76.2 percent.

Which age group experiences the most maltreatment?

Young children experience higher rates of maltreatment than older children. In 2017, children 3 and younger had a maltreatment rate of 15 per 1000, compared with 10 per 1000 for children ages 4 to 7, 8 per 1000 for ages 8 to 11, 7 per 1000 for ages 12 to 15, and 5 per 1000 for children ages 16 to 17 (Appendix 2).

Which age group of children have the highest rates of maltreatment quizlet?

Who are victims of child maltreatment? Children from birth to one year have the highest rate of victimization. Victims were almost equally likely to be male or female however female children are more likely to be victims of sexual abuse. Male children are at greater risk of dying due to maltreatment.

Who is most likely to engage in maltreatment of children?

Mothers were the number one perpetrators of child maltreatment, followed by fathers, mother and father, and mother and nonparent(s).