Reports on Abuse Up 223% From ’76 to ’86 : Cases Where Children Pay With Their Lives

From broken hearts to broken bones, more than 2 million children were abused and neglected across the United States last year. Three died every day.

Even more alarming, reports of child abuse have increased by 223% over 10 years, according to the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, a nonprofit, Chicago-based organization with 67 chapters.

The case numbers rose from 669,000 in 1976 to 2,160,000 in 1986, although some experts say some part of the increase is because of the heightened public awareness and state laws that make reporting mandatory.

Tragically, too many abuse cases slip past the social agencies meant to protect such children.

Two recent cases in Massachusetts underscore the agencies’ limitations: In one, a toddler who had already survived two fractured skulls was returned to her parents because an agency had not told the hearing judge that assault charges were pending against them; in the other, despite the best efforts of social workers, an alcoholic mother allowed her twin daughters to starve to death.

Child abuse ranges from a lack of affection to death.

Based on incomplete surveys and projections, the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse estimated that 1,132 children died of abuse last year. But Cindy Moelis, a research analyst for the committee, said the number could be as high as 5,000.

“Many deaths are often attributed to other causes such as sudden infant death syndrome but are suspected to have been caused by child abuse,” Moelis said.

According to recent committee findings, at least 25% of the fatal cases had previously been referred to authorities but fell through the cracks because there was not enough coordination among between agencies.

Moelis said authorities are so overwhelmed by their workload that “it’s very difficult to assess which families are most at risk of seriously harming their child.”

In about half the cases, abuse takes the form of physical neglect, according to a 1984 report from the American Assn. for Protecting Children, based in Denver. Children are not properly fed, clothed or given medical care. An additional 25% are physically abused, 14% are sexually assaulted and 10% suffer emotional abuse such as unreasonable parental demands or lack of caring. In 85% of the cases, the abusers are the parents.

Many states are trying to deal more effectively with child abuse. Thirty-two states have review committees to examine child-abuse deaths. Fifteen states are trying to find better ways to flag the greatest risk cases. Six states have passed or proposed legislation to toughen sentences for abusers who kill children.

According to Parents Anonymous, a self-help group aimed at heading off abuse before it occurs, most abusive parents are under stress, unable to meet their own needs or bothered by something from their own childhoods.

Judi Czimbal, director of program development for Massachusetts Parents Anonymous, said the main problems are isolation, feelings of being overwhelmed, financial problems and fatigue.

“They want to be good parents, but they often don’t know how,” said Czimbal. “They wind up getting very angry, and they’ll take their frustrations out on a child without wanting to.”