Increased Federal Efforts Needed To Better Identify, Treat, and Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect

Because of congressional and public concern about child abuse and neglect, GAO undertook a review of the problems states and localities are having in identifying, treating, and preventing child abuse and neglect. The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, established within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), is the focal point for federal efforts to deal with child abuse and neglect. In the review, GAO evaluated the progress and problems of selected states and localities using as criteria the Center's recommended programs. However, the number of reported cases of abuse and neglect continues to rise. According to HEW, reports have risen over 100 percent in the last 4 years. But it is generally recognized that the actual number of cases is much larger than reported.