Kauffman Best Practices Project Final Report - The Chadwick Center ...

In 2001 alone,
2.6 million reports
of child abuse
were made to
child protection
authorities, resulting
in over 600,000
substantiated cases
involving over
900,000 children
(ACYF, 2003).
CLOSING THE QUALITY CHASM
I N C H I L D A B U S E T R E A T M E N T
The Findings of the Kauffman Best Practices Project to Help
Children Heal From the Effects of Child Abuse.
Background: Child abuse touches the lives of millions of American children
each year. In 2001 alone, 2.6 million reports of child abuse were made to child
protection authorities, resulting in over 600,000 substantiated cases involving
over 900,000 children (ACYF, 2003). Victimization surveys of adults and
adolescents indicate that 8.5% of American youth have suffered severe physical
abuse and, at least, 8.1% have experienced a completed rape (Kilpatrick, et al.,
2003; Saunders, et al., 1999; Boney-McCoy & Finkelhor, 1995). The short and
long-term effects of maltreatment in childhood are well-documented. Over 1300
children die each year at the hands of their caregivers (ACYF, 2003). Child
abuse has been found repeatedly to be a major risk factor for many mental
health disorders, emotional problems, behavior difficulties, substance abuse,
delinquency, and health problems (Beitchman, et al., 1991; Beitchman, et al.,
1992; Browne & Finkelhor, 1986; Duncan, et al., 1996; Felitti, et al., 1998;
Fergusson, et al., 1996; Flisher, et al., 1997; Gomes-Schwartz, et al., 1990;
Hanson, et al., 2001; Kendall-Tackett, et al., 1993; Kessler, Davis, & Kendler,
1997; Kilpatrick, et al., 2000; Kilpatrick, et al., 2003; Pelcovitz, et al., 1994;
Polusny & Follette, 1995; Saunders, et al., 1992; Saunders, et al., 1999).
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