Cases Of Child Sexual Abuse Declining

It’s easy to pretend child sexual abuse isn’t a problem in our community. That it doesn’t happen here, but every once in a while there are reminders on both national and local levels.

The trail and then conviction of forced the nation to think about sexual abuse. It made , made others like remember how easily child sexual abuse can happen, and it sparked questions about the reporting and rates of abuse.

According to Director Beth Ann Stewart, all suspected abuse should be reported to the DCF Hotline at 1-800-842-2288.

“Don’t assume someone else will call or DCF is already involved,” Stewart said.

Recent research, according to The New York Times, has shown that children today are more likely to report abuse than 20-years ago and that during the same time period the number of substantiated cases of sexual abuse “…dropped from 23 per 10,000 children under 18 to 8.6 per 10,000, a 62 percent decrease,” from 1990 to 2010.

While the reason for the drop is unknown, Dr. David Finkelhor of the Crimes Against Children Research Center told The New York Times he thinks greater public awareness is at least partly responsible for the decline.

In Connecticut, people who work with children are considered mandated reporters and are required by law to first report abuse to the hotline and then follow-up with a specific form provided by the state. DFC also provides training for those considered mandated reporters if they want it. Mandated reporters must provide their name/affiliation, but can request to remain anonymous to the suspected perpetrator.

Individual non-mandated reporters can remain anonymous.

“Individuals should call the hotline to share their concerns, remembering that they are simply reporting and the department will then determine if an investigation is warranted,” Stewart said adding, “Reporters should also keep in mind that their call may tip the scale to warrant an investigation based on other calls noting similar concerns.”

Once a report is made DCF is required to evaluate and classify the report based on suspected abuse, neglect, imminent risk. If the contains information that DCF believes warrant an investigation and investigation will begin within two hours to three days and must be completed within 30 days.

After the investigation if DCF believes the report of sexual abuse is substantiated DCF will notify local police,

For more information on reporting child abuse visit the DCF website.