Predicting growth in child abuse and neglect reports in urban, suburban, and rural counties

This study analyzes the different effects of demographic, social, and economic factors on the number of child abuse and neglect reports in 18 urban, suburban, and rural California counties over a B-year period. Some of the findings demonstrate that in urban and rural counties, the number of arrests for narcotics and dangerous drugs in particular is positively linked to the number of child abuse and neglect reports. The findings can aid in the process of sharpening allocation methods for child welfare services and in determining where public efforts should be directed in order to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect.