Child maltreatment is epidemic in our nation. Abuse and neglect are indiscriminate, affecting children of families across all income levels and from all races and ethnic groups. Three children die each day as a result of abuse and neglect by those entrusted to care for them, and 38% of those that die are less than a year old. Close to three million reports of abuse and neglect are received each year by child protective services of which nearly two-thirds are accepted for investigation. Yet, current research suggests that only a minority of child victims is brought to the attention of child protection services. A tragedy in itself, child maltreatment too often sets the stage for still other tragic consequences. The destructive impacts of child abuse and neglect ripple out from its immediate victims to affect profoundly the health and safety of all our citizens and communities.

The causes and effects of child maltreatment are complex and intertwined while the systems traditionally expected to respond to them are fragmented and increasingly overburdened. The partners sponsoring this Summit recognize that only sustained collaborative efforts to engage communities in partnership with justice, child protection, physical/behavioral health, and education systems can significantly reduce child maltreatment.

Summit participants recommended approaches to protecting our children that are child focused, community-based and integrated across many disciplines.