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ARCHIVED - Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect – 2008 Fact Sheet

Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect – 2008

PDF Document
545 KB - 2 pages
Cat.: HP5-1/1-2008E-PDF
ISBN: 978-1-100-16917-0

Table of Contents

The Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect – 2008 is the third nation-wide study to examine the incidence of reported child maltreatment and the characteristics of the children and families investigated by Canadian child welfare services.


1998-2003-2008 Study Comparison: Total Maltreatment-Related Investigations

1998-2003-2008 Study Comparison: Total Maltreatment-Related Investigations

[Click to enlarge 1998-2003-2008 Study Comparison: Total Maltreatment-Related Investigations]

[Text Equivalent, 1998-2003-2008 Study Comparison: Total Maltreatment-Related Investigations]

1998-2003-2008 Study Comparison: Total Maltreatment-Related Investigations

Year Number of Investigations
1998 135,261
2003 235,315
2008 235,842

Notable

An estimated 235,842 maltreatment-related investigations were conducted across Canada during 2008. The number of investigations has not changed significantly between 2003 and 2008.

Thirty-six percent of the 2008 investigations were substantiated (i.e., the balance of evidence indicated that maltreatment had occurred) – 85,440 child investigations.


Major Categories of Substantiated Child Maltreatment

Major Categories of Substantiated Child Maltreatment

[Click to enlarge Major Categories of Substantiated Child Maltreatment]

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Major Categories of Substantiated Child Maltreatment

Category Number of Investigations Percentage
Exposure to intimate partner violence 29,259 34%
Physical Abuse 17,212 20%
Neglect 28,939 34%
Emotional maltreatment 7,423 9%
Sexual abuse 2,607 3%

Notable

Eighteen percent of substantiated investigations involved more than one category of substantiated maltreatment.

The incidence of substantiated maltreatment was nearly identical for males and females.

In some jurisdictions, cases of physical and sexual abuse involving perpetrators who are not related to the child are investigated by police alone without the involvement of child welfare workers; they are not reported in this study. The estimates should therefore be interpreted cautiously.


Aboriginal Heritage of Children in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations

Aboriginal Heritage of Children in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations

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Aboriginal Heritage of Children in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations

Heritage Number of Investigations Percentage
Non-Aboriginal 66,930 78%
Aboriginal 18,510 22%
First Nations, status   15%
First Nations, non-status   3%
Métis   2%
Inuit   1%
Other Aboriginal   1%

Notable

Aboriginal children were identified as a key group because of concerns regarding over-representation of these children in the foster care system. The incidence rate of substantiated child maltreatment investigations was four times higher in Aboriginal child investigations than in non-Aboriginal child investigations.


Select Child Functioning Issues in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations

Select Child Functioning Issues in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations

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Select Child Functioning Issues in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations

Issue Percent of substantiated child maltreatment investigations

In 46% of substantiated child maltreatment investigations (an estimated 39,460 investigations), at least one child functioning issue was indicated.
Academic difficulties 23%
Depression/anxiety/withdrawal 19%
Aggression 15%
Attachment issues 14%
Intel ectual/developmental disability 11%
Attention deficit disorder/attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder 11%

Primary Caregiver Risk Factors in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations

Primary Caregiver Risk Factors in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations

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Primary Caregiver Risk Factors in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations

  Percent of substantiated child maltreatment investigations
Victim of domestic violence 46%
Few social supports 39%
Mental health issues 27%
Alcohol abuse 21%
Drug/solvent abuse 17%
Perpetrator of domestic violence 13%
Physical health issues 10%
History of foster care/group home 8%
Cognitive impairment 6%

Select Household Risk Factors in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations

Select Household Risk Factors in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations

* Household hazards included access to drugs or drug paraphernalia, unhealthy or unsafe living conditions and accessible weapons.

[Click to enlarge Select Household Risk Factors in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations]

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Select Household Risk Factors in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations

  Percent of substantiated child maltreatment investigations

Household risk factors included income source, housing category, number of recent family moves, and the presence of hazards in the home.

* Household hazards included access to drugs or drug paraphernalia, unhealthy or unsafe living conditions and accessible weapons.
Social assistance, employment insurance or other benefits 33%
One move in last 12 months 20%
At least one household hazard * 12%
Public housing 11%
Two or more moves in last 12 months 10%

Reference: Public Health Agency of Canada. Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect – 2008: Major Findings. Ottawa, 2010.

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2023-06-07