Child Abuse
Percentage of child abuse cases by maltreatment type, NM & US
Figure: Percentage of child abuse cases by maltreatment type, NM and US, 2021. Total may exceed 100% as children who experienced more than one type of maltreatment are counted in each applicable category.
Data Source: ChildTrends.org – Child Maltreatment – New Mexico – Dataset #263, NCANDS Child File FY2021; Dataset #264, NCANDS Agency File FY 2021
How is New Mexico Doing?
There were 82.2 child abuse referrals per 1,000 children in NM for 2021, and about half of those were referred for an investigation. An estimated 22% of investigated cases were found to be substantiated victims. The highest proportion of maltreatment type was neglect for both NM and the US. In NM, the prevalence of psychological maltreatment was about 5 times higher in NM than in the US, while physical and sexual abuse were relatively less prevalent among maltreatment types in NM.
How does New Mexico compare to the nation?
The rate of substantiated victims was 12.5 per 1,000 children in NM compared to 8.1 per 1,000 in the U.S. The NM rate declined by 30% over the last five years.
What does this mean?
Maltreatment includes abuse and neglect and can place children at risk of learning, developmental, and behavioral problems, affecting some for a lifetime. CYFD programming supports prevention strategies such as home visiting program referrals and parenting programs.
