Minnesota children are abused and neglected each year. In 2008, almost 5,400 children were abused and neglected; 45 children suffered life-threatening injuries; and 17 children died from maltreatment. Of these abused and neglected children:
The median age for victims was 6 years old.
White children accounted for 47% of maltreatment victims; Black children, 23%; American Indian children, 10%; Asian and Pacific Islander children, 3%. Children identified with two or more races accounted for 10%. In the remaining 7% of cases, racial background was missing or unknown. Of victims, 11% indicated Hispanic ethnicity.
70% of all alleged offenders were victims’ birth parents. Other relatives, including stepparents, adoptive parents, grandparents and siblings, accounted for 12% of offenders. Parents’ companions accounted for 6% of offenders. Licensed child care providers, foster parents and facility staff accounted for 2% of offenders. 4% were other nonrelatives. Some children were victims of more than one offender.
Children suffer many types of abuse and neglect. In 2008, Minnesota counties determined that:
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71% of all victims suffered from neglect.
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20% of all those maltreated were physically abused.
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16% of all victims suffered sexual abuse.
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1% of all victims suffered medical neglect.
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1% of all victims suffered from emotional or mental abuse.
Some children were victims of more than one form of abuse or neglect.
