Statistics about children who have been abused and neglected.

According to Kids Count 2023, there were 67,457 reported cases of child abuse and neglect in Tennessee.

Fact- Per the 2021-2022 TN DCS annual report, there were 70,718 investigation and assessment hotline cases.

Fact- According to a report released by Prevent Child Abuse America funded by Pew Charitable Trusts estimated the annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States to be $220 billion dollars. This figure includes both direct and indirect costs of child abuse.

Fact- Federal law requires that juvenile and family courts appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in all cases of child abuse and neglect, who, in Tennessee must be an attorney.  CASA advocates who are volunteers may also be appointed by the court. See Tennessee Code Annotated 37-1-149.

Fact- The National CASA/GAL network consists of more than 939 programs in 49 states, where 97,900 volunteers serve over 242,000 children every year.

References

Reported Child Abuse Cases (aecf.org)

The Estimated Annual Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect (preventchildabuse.org)

Our Reach - National CASA/GAL Association for Children (nationalcasagal.org)