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Societal Costs of Child Abuse

Children who are raised in safe, nurturing environments are more likely to grow into responsible, contributing members of society. For every $50 spent to treat child abuse, only $1 is spent to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Studies show investing in parental support and education is less expensive and more effective than trying to treat the effects of child abuse.

Those who are subject to child abuse face emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral development challenges at higher rates than children who aren’t abused. Specifically, children who are abused are more likely to:

• Perform poorly in school
• Develop unhealthy relationships
• Attempt suicide
• Suffer from:
  • Attention deficits
  • Depression
  • Violent aggression
  • Obesity
  • Alcoholism
  • Drug usage
  • Cigarette addiction

According to the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS), the state spent over $224 million in 2009 due to child abuse. This money includes the cost of out-of-home placements, in-home services, subsidized adoptions, and child protection staff, but doesn’t include medical and psychological treatment or special education for abuse-related cognitive challenges.

On a national scale, the costs associated with child abuse are staggering. A 2007 study by Prevent Child Abuse America placed the annual price tag of child abuse at $104 billion.

The costs associated with treating child abuse could be significantly reduced by investing in programs that prevent child abuse in Iowa.