Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Report shows decline in Nevada child abuse cases

CARSON CITY – A new report shows a decrease in 2009 in the number of child abuse victims nationwide and in Nevada.

The Nevada Division of Child and Family Services says the number of child maltreatment cases that required investigations fell from 14,322 in fiscal 2008 to 12,241 in 2009.

The national report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said this is the third year for a decline in the number of children who were victims of abuse and neglect.

The drop in Nevada is due to a variety of factors, a state report says. The Nevada report says the decline is “most impacted” by a drop in Clark County, which has 71 percent of the population and 64 percent of the child maltreatment reports.

Other programs were started or expanded in Clark, Washoe and Elko counties that contributed to the decline, said the state report.

The report said there has been an increase in outpatient substance abuse treatment slots and “possibly drug court capacity in Clark County during federal 2009.” The report also indicates meth use in the state has declined significantly over the past few years.

The federal report said there have been major efforts to bring down the rate of child abuse and neglect, such as funding to help domestic violence victims and organizations. And there have been grants to reduce long-term foster care and to help move children into permanent homes, the report said.

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