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Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect - Major Findings - 2003

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Introduction

  • Background: CIS-1998
    • Funding
  • Objectives and Scope of the CIS
  • Child Welfare Services in Canada
  • Quebec
  • Definitional Framework for the CIS-2003
    • Categories and Forms of Maltreatment
    • Level of Harm
    • Timeframe
    • Unit of Analysis
    • Case Duplication
    • Level of Case Identification
  • Summary of CIS-2003 Definitional Framework
  • Organization of Report

Chapter 2 - Methods

  • Study Organization
    • National Consultation
    • Study Timeframe
    • Project Management Structure
  • Ethics Procedures
  • Instruments
    • Maltreatment Assessment Form
    • Worker Information Form
  • Focus and Pilot Testing
  • Sampling
  • Case Selection and Processing
  • Data Verification and Data Entry
  • Participation and Item Completion Rates
  • Weighting
  • DuplicationSampling Error Estimation
  • Limitations of the CIS-2003
  • Data Presentation Format

Chapter 3 - Incidence of Reported Abuse and Neglect

  • Definition of Classifications of Maltreatment
  • Definition of Levels of Substantiation
  • Total Child Investigations and Overall Rates of Substantiation
  • Total Family Investigations and Overall Rates of Substantiation
  • Categories of Maltreatment
  • Single and Multiple Categories of Maltreatment
  • Physical Abuse
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Neglect
  • Emotional Maltreatment
  • Exposure to Domestic Violence

Chapter 4 - Characteristics of Maltreatment

  • Physical Harm
  • Nature of Physical Harm
  • Medical Treatment for Physical Harm
  • Emotional Harm
  • Duration of Maltreatment
  • Perpetrator

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Chapter 5 - Service Dispositions

  • Previous Investigations and Time Since Most Recent Opening
    • Previous Investigations
    • Time Since Most Recent Opening
  • Ongoing Child Welfare Services
  • Referrals to Support Services (Child and Family)
  • Out-of-Home Placement
  • Child Welfare Court Involvement
  • Police Involvement and Criminal Charges

Chapter 6 - Child Characteristics

  • Age and Sex of Investigated Children
  • Child Functioning
  • Aboriginal Heritage of Investigated Children
  • Service Dispositions for Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Children

Chapter 7- Household Characteristics

  • Parents and Caregivers in the Home
  • Age of Primary Caregiver(s)
  • Number of Siblings in the Household
  • Number of Siblings Investigated
  • Source of Income
  • Housing
  • Caregiver Functioning and Family Stressors
  • Custody/Access Disputes

Chapter 8 - Referral and Agency Characteristics<

  • Source of Referral
  • Unsubstantiated and Malicious Reports
  • Agency/Office Size
  • Urban and Rural Service Area
  • Worker Position, Experience, and Education
  • Years of Experience
  • Educational Background

Chapter 9 - CIS-1998 and CIS-2003

  • CIS-1998 and CIS-2003
    • Increase in Substantiated Maltreatment
    • More Children Investigated in Each Family
    • Variations by Category of Maltreatment
    • Rates of Substantiated Maltreatment by Age Group
    • Lower Proportion of Cases Involving Harm
    • Child Welfare Interventions
    • More Reports from Professionals
    • More Victimized Children or More Reports?
  • Future Directions

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Appendices

  1. CIS-2003 Site Researchers
  2. Public Health Agency of Canada Staff & National Steering Committee Members
  3. Glossary of Terms
  4. CIS Maltreatment Assessment Form
  5. CIS-Cycle II Guide Book
  6. Case Vignettes
  7. Worker Information Form
  8. Variance Estimates and Confidence Intervals
  9. Supporting Data for Additional Report Findings

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List of Tables and Figures

Figure 1 Child Maltreatment Investigations in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 1 Child Maltreatment Investigations, by Level of Substantiation, in Canada in 2003
Figure 2 Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 2 Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Figure 3 Child Maltreatment Investigations in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 1998 and 2003
Figure 4 Categories of Substantiated Child Maltreatment in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 1998 and 2003
Figure 5 Physical Harm in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Figure 6 Emotional Harm in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Figure 7 Previous Openings in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Figure 8 Ongoing Services in Cases of Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Figure 9 Placement in Out-of-Home Care in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Figure 10 Age and Sex of Victims, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Figure 11 Aboriginal Status of Victims of Substantiated Child Maltreatment in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Figure 12 Parents of Victims of Substantiated Maltreatment in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Figure 13a Female Caregiver Risk Factors for Victims of Substantiated Maltreatment in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Figure 13b Male Caregiver Risk Factors for Victims of Substantiated Maltreatment in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Figure 14 Household Risk Factors for Victims of Substantiated Maltreatment in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 1-1 Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect - 2003: Definitional Framework
Figure 1-1 Scope of the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect - 2003
Table 1-2 Administrative Structure of Provincial and Territorial Child Welfare Services in Canada in 2003
Figure 1-2 Stages of Identification of Incidents of Child Maltreatment, CIS-2003 Figure 2-1 Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect - 2003: Sampling Stages
Table 2-1 Child Welfare Service Area (CWSA) and Sample Size by Province and Territory, CIS-2003
Figure 2-2 Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect: Number of CWSAs Selected by Province and Territory
Table 2-2 Standard Errors and Coefficients of Variation for SelectedVariables (p < 0.05) in CIS-2003
Table 3-1 Child Maltreatment Investigations, by Level of Substantiation, in Canada in 2003
Table 3-2 Families Involved in Child Maltreatment Investigations, by Level of Substantiation, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 3-3 Primary Categories of Substantiated Child Maltreatment in Canada in 2003 Table 3-4 Single and Multiple Categories of Substantiated Child Maltreatment in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 3-5 Primary or Secondary or Tertiary Forms of Physical Abuse, by Level of Substantiation, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 3-6 Primary or Secondary Forms of Sexual Abuse, by Level of Substantiation, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 3-7 Primary or Secondary Forms of Neglect, by Level of Substantiation, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 3-8 Primary or Secondary Forms of Emotional Maltreatment, by Level of Substantiation, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 3-9 Primary or Secondary Forms of Exposure to Domestic Violence, by Level of Substantiation, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 4-1(a) Physical Harm, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 4-1(b) Nature of Physical Harm, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 4-1(c) Medical Treatment Required in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations, by Nature of Physical Harm, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 4-2 Emotional Harm, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 4-3 Duration of Maltreatment, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 4-4(a) Identified Perpetrator (Relatives), by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 4-4(b) Identified Perpetrator (Non-Relatives), by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 5-1(a) Previous Case Openings, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 5-1(b) Time Since Case was Last Closed, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 5-2 Ongoing Child Welfare Services, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 5-3 Referrals to Support Services, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 5-4 Out-of-Home Placement, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 5-5 Applications to Child Welfare Court and Mediation/Alternative Response, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 5-6 Police Investigations and Charges Laid, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 6-1 Child Age and Sex in Investigated and Substantiated Child Maltreatment in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 6-2 Child Age and Sex for Children Over 15 in Provinces/Territories with Protection Mandates for Children Over 15, by Incidence of Investigated Child Maltreatment, and by Level of Substantiation, in Canada in 2003
Table 6-3 Age and Sex of Investigated Children, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 6-4(a) Child Functioning (Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive) by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 6-4(b) Child Functioning (Behavioural) by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 6-5 Aboriginal Heritage of Investigated Children by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003 71
Table 6-6 Service Dispositions for Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Children in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 7-1 Household Structure, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 7-2(a) Age of Female Caregivers by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 7-2(b) Age of Male Caregivers by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 7-3 Siblings of Children in Child Maltreatment Investigations, by Primary Category of Substantiated Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 7-4 Investigated Siblings, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 7-5 Source of Household Income, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 7-6 Housing Type, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 7-7 Housing Conditions, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 7-8 Family Moves within the Last Twelve Months, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 7-9(a) Female Caregiver Functioning, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 7-9(b) Male Caregiver Functioning, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 7-10 Custody Disputes, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 8-1 All Referral Sources (Non-Professional, and Professional), by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 8-2(a) Unsubstantiated and Malicious Reports of Child Maltreatment, by Primary Category of Investigated Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 8-2(b) Unsubstantiated and Malicious Reports of Child Maltreatment, by Referral Source Category, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 8-3 Relative Size of Child Welfare Agency/Office Involved in Child Investigations, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 8-4 Urban/Rural Location of Child Welfare Agency/Office, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 8-5 Job Position of Investigating Worker, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003 91
Table 8-6 Years of Child Welfare Experience for Investigating Workers, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 8-7 Highest Completed Education Level of Investigating Worker, by Primary Category of Substantiated Child Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 2003
Table 9-1 Child Maltreatment Investigations by Level of Substantiation, in Canada, in 1998 and 2003
Table 9-2 Investigated Families Compared to Investigated Children, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 1998 and 2003
Table 9-3 Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations by Primary Category of Maltreatment, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 1998 and 2003
Table 9-4 Child Age in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 1998 and 2003
Table 9-5 Case Characteristics of Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 1998 and 2003
Table 9-6 Child Welfare Interventions in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 1998 and 2003
Table 9-7 Referral Sources in Substantiated Child Maltreatment Investigations, in Canada, Excluding Quebec, in 1998 and 2003