Trends in Allegations and Investigations of Child Abuse and Neglect in Alaska

Abstract

Rates of child abuse and neglect in Alaska have been high for years, compared with national averages and under various measures. To find ways of better protecting children in our state, it’s important for Alaskans to understand more about child maltreatment —which includes neglect, mental injury, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Neglect is by far the most common type of maltreatment, in Alaska and across the country. This is the first in a series of papers that will examine child abuse and neglect in Alaska, to focus more attention on this very serious problem and uncover potential reasons why rates are so high. Here we discuss trends in allegations of child abuse and neglect and subsequent investigations, from 2006 through 2012. We use publically available data from the Office of Children’s Services (OCS), the state agency that deals with most reported child maltreatment in Alaska.