What does this measure?

The number of children in indicated Child Protective Service reports, expressed as a rate per 1,000 children under age 18. Indicated reports are those in which there is credible evidence that a child has experienced abuse, neglect or maltreatment from a parent or legal guardian. This includes sexual abuse committed or allowed by a parent or guardian.

Why is this important?

Children who have been abused or neglected may experience long-term psychological and emotional/behavioral consequences. Victims of abuse are also at higher risk of abusing their own children when they become parents.

How is the region performing?

In 2020, there were 11 abused children for every 1,000 in the Mid-Hudson Valley region, lower than the state (excluding New York City) rate of 16. Since 2000, the region's rate of child abuse has decreased by 15%, while the state increased 18%. Child abuse rates were consistently lower in Orange and Putnam counties (8 and 6 per 1,000 in 2020) while rates were highest in Greene (27 per 1,000), Columbia (21 per 1,000) and Sullivan (18 per 1,000).

Notes about the data

Reports of abuse or neglect may be influenced by many factors such as outreach, education and media publicity. Additionally, it is unknown how many cases of abuse or neglect are never reported to authorities. Each child is counted only once in these data.