Pastor's Briefing
The implications of underreporting maltreatment deaths of children include: less funding for detection training and intervention services, decreased public awareness of a serious problem, and continued maltreatment and deaths of thousands of children each year.
Child Maltreatment Deaths: Core Concept
On May 2nd, the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right policy center in Washington, held a panel forum entitled, “Lives Cut Short: A Project to Document Child Maltreatment Fatalities.”
Child maltreatment can take the form of accidental overdose, physical abuse, neglect, or starvation. Since 2013 there has been a 30% increase in child maltreatment deaths. The lowest estimate is that at least 2,000 children die each year as the result of maltreatment. Due to the lack of standardization or centralization in reporting, the true number is likely far higher.
Despite living in the digital age of instant access to information, no national database exists to accurately track these deaths. To address this, last year, AEI launched the livescutshort.org project to bring some cohesion and centrality to these statistics.
The implications of underreporting maltreatment deaths of children include: less funding for detection training and intervention services, decreased public awareness of a serious problem, and continued maltreatment and deaths of thousands of children each year.
What the Bible has to say
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:1–6 (ESV)
What is Good that needs Encouragement? Parents need encouragement and support in maintaining their emotional health in child-rearing. Health care workers, law enforcement, first responders, school counselors, and social service workers need encouragement in the work they are doing on the front lines of child maltreatment intervention.
What is Broken that requires Restoration? The reporting mechanisms for some agencies are inadequate and there is no standard for classification. Further, needed communication at the local level (where it is most critical) is often hindered by HIPPA, bureaucracy, and lack of ownership / “hot-potato” responses.
What is Missing that awaits Creation? Interconnection of cross-jurisdictional law enforcement, health care, and family services agencies to incident data that would allow informed responses to particular situations. A centralized database or system for collecting and distributing child maltreatment incidents to officials empowered to take appropriate action.
What is Evil that demands Opposition? First, child maltreatment by anyone, anywhere, at any time. Apathy or incompetence by anyone in a position to promote and ensure the safety and flourishing of the child.
Who in your congregation does this policy conversation impact? Parents, healthcare workers, law enforcement, social service workers, and others in a position to identify and respond to child maltreatment before the child is added to the database.
Got questions? Reach out to Faithful Presence at connect@faithful-presence.org