Child abuse and neglect (2000)

National statistics on the amount of child abuse and neglect are difficult to obtain because states use different definitions. Some states report only substantiated cases that have been verified according to state law. Other states report and combine both the number of substantiated and indicated cases. In indicated cases of abuse there is reason to suspect abuse or neglect, but less evidence to prove it.Reviewed March 2000--MU Extension website (viewed June 2019)New 9/97/5M--Page 4