Child Neglect Statistics

Child neglect statistics reflect that low income increases the likelihood of maltreatment and neglect. Poor people typically spend their energies trying to cope with little available funds, and often, inadequate or sub-standard living accommodations. They tend to cluster in poor neighbourhoods with high need and very limited resources.

What resources do I mean? Extended families, neighbours, friends, religious organizations, clubs, employment colleagues, social services or other significant persons. Without these resources, without these healthy support systems in place, the family is at risk for chronic neglect.

Some Child Neglect Statistics:   47% of caregivers of children with substantiated neglect suffered from substance abuse (Health Canada, 20011).   Neglect and emotional maltreatment were more likely to be associated with families who relied on social assistance or some other form of benefit (Health Canada, 20012). A Personal Note:  I grew up on social assistance. The above statistic was definitely the case in our home. I've written a book about my experiences. Check it out at child abuse story   Female lone parents and their children are among the most economically disadvantaged. Over 60% live below--and in many cases, far below--the Statistics Canada designation for low income (Mayson, 19983).   Mothers are found to be the neglectful parent in 72% of neglect cases (DHHS, Children's Bureau, 19984). NOTE:  The above 72% rate is not surprising when one considers the child neglect statistics listed immediately before it, as well as the one immediately following:   According to Statistics Canada's 1996 data, women headed the vast majority--well over 80%--of the 1.1 million lone-parent families in Canada (Vanier Institute of the Family, 20005).   Child neglect tends to be global--it is rarely a single form of neglect, but rather encompasses neglect of many needs (Polansky et al., 1992, p. 216).   Of all maltreating families, neglecting families resist change most; after treatment only 40% of neglecting families maintained their new behaviours (Mosher, 19947).   One of the most obvious features of neglectful families is that everyone is neglected (Crittenden, 19928).

Child Neglect pages on this site:

Child Neglect	Child Neglect Signs
Child Neglect Effects	Child Neglect Statistics
Poverty & Child Neglect

Are you looking for more child abuse statistics and facts?
If so, check out these pages on this site:

Child Abuse Statistics	Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse Statistics	Sexual Abuse Definition
Physical Abuse Statistics	Sexual Abuse Effects
Child Neglect Statistics	Sexual Abuse Victims
Sexual Abuse Statistics	Male Victims
History of Abuse	Female Victims
Emotional Abuse Types	Victims with Disability
Emotional Abuse Signs	Sexual Abuse Disclosures
Emotional Abuse Effects	Male Sex Offenders
Bullying	Female Sex Offenders
Physical Abuse Signs	Child Sex Offenders
Abuse & Discipline	Adolescent Sex Offenders
Physical Abuse Effects	Incestuous Sex Offenders
Child Neglect	Internet Sex Offenders
Child Neglect Signs	Abuse Intervention
Child Neglect Effects	Abuse Prevention
Poverty & Child Neglect

Child abuse information pages on this site:

Abuse Headlines	History of Abuse
Sexual Abuse Signs	Child Abuse Stats
Sexual Abuse Effects	Emotional Abuse
Sexual Abuse Stats	Emotional Abuse Types
Sexual Abuse Victims	Emotional Abuse Signs
Male Victims	Emotional Abuse Effects
Female Victims	Bullying
Victims w/ Disability	Emotional Abuse Stats
Sexual Abuse Disclosures	Physical Abuse
Sex Offenders	Physical Abuse Signs
Male Sex Offenders	Abuse & Discipline
Female Sex Offenders	Physical Abuse Effects
Child Sex Offenders	Physical Abuse Stats
Adolescent Sex Offenders	Child Neglect
Incestuous Sex Offenders	Child Neglect Signs
Internet Sex Offenders	Child Neglect Effects
Child Abuse Law	Child Neglect Stats
Age of Majority	Poverty & Neglect
Duty to Report	Sexual Abuse
Abuse Intervention	Sexual Abuse Defined
Abuse Prevention

Child Neglect Statistics

1 Health Canada. (2001). The Canadian incidence study of abuse and neglect. Ottawa: Health Canada.

8 Crittenden, P. (1992). Child neglect Chicago: National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

Last revised May 31, 2007