Social and Economic Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect

The social and economic costs of child abuse and neglect are difficult to calculate. Some costs are straightforward and directly related to maltreatment, such as hospital costs for medical treatment of injuries sustained as a result of physical abuse and foster care costs resulting from the removal of children when they cannot remain safely with their families. Other costs, less directly tied to the incidence of abuse, include lower academic achievement, adult criminality, and lifelong mental health problems. Both direct and indirect costs impact our society and economy.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Response
University of Albany & Prevent Child Abuse America
Seeks to connect research data and its potential for real-world application to prevent adverse childhood experiences and their consequences through policy and program leadership, community development, and direct practice.

Bringing Back the Dads: Changing Practices in Child Welfare Systems (PDF - 1,484 KB)
American Humane Association
Protecting Children, 26(2), 2011
Presents a collection of articles offering perspectives on issues facing nonresident fathers. The articles identify promising casework and legal and judicial best practices, raise awareness of factors that reduce barriers to engagement, and explore policies that affect the engagement of nonresident fathers.

Estimated Annual Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect (PDF - 409 KB)
Gelle & Perlman (2012)
Prevent Child Abuse America
Outlines the direct and indirect costs of responding to the consequences of child abuse and neglect incurred by the victims, their families, and society.

The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress
Shonkoff, Garner, Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, Committee on Early Childhood, Adoption, and Dependent Care, & Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Pediatrics, 129(1), 2011
Presents a multidisciplinary framework that illustrates how early experiences and environmental influences can affect brain development and long-term health. The report also examines effects of toxic stress and links early adversity to later impairments in learning, behavior, and both physical and mental well-being. Also view the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement (PDF - 536 KB).

Long-Term Socioeconomic Impact of Child Abuse and Neglect: Implications for Public Policy (PDF - 146 KB)
Zielinski
Policy Matters (2005)
Reports on how maltreatment affects the socioeconomic status of adults.

Measuring Costs of Child Abuse and Neglect: A Mathematic Model of Specific Cost Estimations
Conrad
Journal of Health and Human Services Administration, 29(1/2), 2006
View Abstract
Offers a model for calculating the actual costs of child abuse and neglect based on direct, indirect, and opportunity costs associated with each case.

Paying Later: The High Costs of Failing to Invest in Young Children (PDF - 220 KB)
Pew Center on the States, Partnership for America's Economic Success (2011)
Reports the findings of a study that explored the social costs caused by an array of bad outcomes, including child abuse and neglect, high school dropouts, criminal activity, teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, and other health problems, and how these costs could be reduced by investing in evidence-based early childhood programs.

Saving Lives, Saving Dollars: Mitigating the Impact of Child Maltreatment (PDF - 318 KB)
Department of Extension Home Economics, New Mexico State University (2006)
Focuses on the physical, psychoemotional, and behavioral impact of child maltreatment; estimated direct and indirect financial costs to society; the long-term socioeconomic impact of abuse and neglect; and strategies for prevention and intervention.