Garrett County Insights

Every child should have a safe, stable, and nurturing environment full of love to grow into their potential.  Unfortunately, each year, thousands of Maryland children are exposed to physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.  The latest data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states, Maryland had 53,277 total referrals for child abuse and neglect. Of those, 22,037 reports were referred for investigation. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/child-maltreatment-2019

The Children’s Bureau develops the annual Child Maltreatment reports, which include data provided by the states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Systems. Here’s what the latest data showed, there were 7,578 victims of abuse or neglect in Maryland, a rate of 5.6 per 1,000 children, an increase of 8.4% from 2016. Of these children, 60.7% were neglected, 22.3% were physically abused, and 23.4% were sexually abused.

41 child deaths resulting from abuse or neglect reported in MD, 2017

According to the most recent Garrett County Community Health Assessment (https://mygarrettcounty.com/cha2021/), Child Maltreatment- Abuse & Neglect Diseases was the 7th most important priority identified by Garrett County stakeholders in the prioritization survey (see more in the 2019-2021 Community Health Assessment Research Portal – CHArp
https://garrettcountyhealthdepartment.github.io/CHArp/). According to the Maryland’s Open Data Portal, Garrett County has the highest rate of Childhood Maltreatment compared to all other counties in Maryland and Baltimore City. https://opendata.maryland.gov/Health-and-Human-Services/SHIP-Child-maltreatment-rate-2010-2017/qwwu-cu4u

While child abuse impacts people from all demographics, families under significant stressors are at an increased risk. Poverty, mental health, and depression are three factors linked to increased child maltreatment. (Child maltreatment includes neglect, medical neglect, psychological abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.) 79.3% of all child maltreatment comes from a child’s own parents.

We need to work together to increase economic supports like affordable housing, fuel assistance, food banks, and earned income tax credits to begin to lessen the stressors on parents. A great local resource can be found here https://www.garrettcac.org/.

Home visiting programs put families in touch with experts on resource coordination, parenting information, and even help with finding employment. For more information click this link https://garretthealth.org/early-care-programs/.

Child abuse and neglect are adverse childhood experiences that have the potential to cause lasting, negative effects on health and wellbeing. However, with the appropriate education, response, and prevention strategies, we can create communities safe from maltreatment for all children.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT IN MARYLAND:
PLEASE CALL 911 and your local department of social services Child Protective Services Unit to make a report.

Garrett County 301-533-3005
301-334-1911 (after hours – Sheriff’s Dept.)

TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT IN ANOTHER STATE:
Go to Childhelp at www.childhelp.org or call toll free: 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453).