Child Abuse in WI

  • Child Abuse in WI
  • CAC Impact
  • Resources for Professionals

Child Abuse in WI

It is difficult to determine exactly how many children are abused and neglected each year. Several state and national studies have been conducted, but because of the way the data was collected the results can be misleading and may not present an entirely accurate picture. For instance, we know that most research is based on cases of child abuse and neglect that have been substantiated by child protective services agencies, agencies which, due to their limited resources, are usually only able intervene in cases deemed to be of serious concern. We also know that many cases of abuse and neglect are never even reported. However, the most current data report that:

In 2012, in Wisconsin, there were:

  • 39,460 reports of child abuse
  • 975 substantiated cases of physical abuse
  • 1,256 substantiated cases of sexual abuse
  • 56 substantiated cases of emotional abuse
  • 2,773 substantiated cases of child neglect
  • 23 substantiated cases of a child having died because of child abuse or neglect
  • 61% of children who died were under the age of three
  • 35% of children who died were under age one

Regardless of what the data says, we believe that one case of child abuse is one case too many.

To download the 2012 Annual Report to the Governor and Legislature on Child Abuse and Neglect, click HERE

Reporting Child Abuse

Signs of child abuse can be subtle, and in many cases, nonexistent. Changes in a child’s routine or new unexplained behaviors are worth a second look.

What to look for:

  • Unexplained injuries
  • Changes in emotional behavior
  • Returning to less mature/younger behaviors
  • Fear of going home
  • Changes in eating
  • Changes to sleep patterns
  • Changes in school performance or attendance
  • Lack of personal care in hygiene
  • Risk-taking behaviors
  • Inappropriate sexual behavior

To report suspected child abuse, contact your local child welfare office or local law enforcement.  Click HERE for additional information.

Wisconsin Child Abuse Network
WI CAN is an inter-disciplinary, public-private partnership that works to improve the response to child maltreatment through ongoing education and a web-based peer review network.

Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System 
The child welfare training system, through the regional training partnerships, provides training for over 2,000 child welfare workers throughout the State of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Program (CPS)
Children’s Protective Services (CPS) is a program within the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Wisconsin Crime Victim Compensation
Information on crime victim assistance and compensation.  Includes forms and victim’s rights information.

Children’s Trust Fund
Funding for local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.

Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry
The Wisconsin public sex offender registry established and provided as a result of the sex offender registration act.

Childhelp USA
Offers crisis intervention, information, literature and referrals for prevention and treatment of child abuse.

KidsCount Database
Access date from al 50 States on well being of children in each State.

The National Children’s Advocacy Center Research Library
A research tool presented by the National Children’s Advocacy Center for children and families.

Child Welfare Information Gateway
This site provide access to information to help protect children and strengthen families.

NetSmartz Workshop
An educational safety resource for children from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

National Center for Missing and  Exploited Children
A national resource center for child protection information and abuse prevention.

Prevent Child Abuse America
A national web site dedicated to preventing child abuse and providing prevention information.

Darkness to Light
The Darkness to Light mission is to empower people to prevent child sexual abuse.

By the Numbers

In Wisconsin

  • A child is abused or neglected every two hours
  • A child dies before his or her first birthday every 19 hours

In Cost

  • Nationally, $1.06 per family is spent each year for programs to prevent child abuse
  • Child abuse and neglect costs our nation $220 million every day