Report Shows 77K Children Abused in New York State in 2010

The Kings County District Attorney’s Office, partnering with Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, unveiled a new report showing the extent of child abuse and neglect across New York State, with over 200 children suffering abuse and neglect every day.

The report shows that 77,000 children in New York State were abused in 2010, with 114 of those children dying as a result.

District Attorney Charles Hynes said, “We are concerned about child abuse and neglect as a reality for far too many children, not just statistics on a sheet of paper. Nationally, there were almost 700,000 confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect that claimed the lives of 1,560 in 2010, and 114 of those kids were from New York. That number should shock the conscience of every one of us.”

According to the D.A.’s office, most survivors of child abuse never become violent criminals, but they are 30 percent more likely to become violent criminals than those without a history of abuse.

The report emphasizes the benefits of voluntary home visiting services, which helps new parents cope with the stresses of raising a young child. According to the D.A.’s office, home visiting programs can reduce child abuse and neglect by as much as 50 percent. 

To report child abuse, call the Child Abuse Hotline number at the New York State Central Register for Child Abuse and Maltreatment at (800) 342-3720. The website is www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/prevention. Call 911 if it appears that immediate action needs to be taken to protect the welfare of the child.