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Problem Definition Paper Annotated Graphs

Problem Definition Paper Annotated Graphs

Social Work 300

Ms. McArthur

Sarethia Grant

Tuskegee University

February 13, 2009

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Magnitude of the Problem

Child Abuse and Neglect Cases Reported and Investigated by State: 2005

80,000

70,000

60,000

50,000

40,000 Number of victims

30,000

20,000

10,000

0
Georgia New York

This graph shows the magnitude of the problem ranging from south part of the

United States to the north part. First starting with the southern region in Georgia the

graph displays the amount of victims that were located within this particular state. The

graph also displays the number of victims located within the northern part of the United

States focusing on New York.

The graph above shows the magnitude of the problem ranging from north to

South. As shown in the graph the viewer can see that there is a greater amount of children

neglected and abused in New York than in Georgia. This graph shows how many children

are affected by child abuse and neglect within these particular demographics.
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Scope of the Problem

Child Abuse and Neglect Cases Reported and Investigated by State: 2005 ( Scope)

12,000,000

10,000,000

8,000,000

Population under 18 years old

6,000,000
Number of Child of Victims

4,000,000

2,000,000

0
Alabama Arizona California Florida

This particular graph displays how wide spread the problem is by taking a closer

look at several different states. The graph displays the population of under18

years old, and the number of victims within these particular states.

For Alabama and Arizona the amount of child victims was too small that is why

it is not visible on the graph. However California and Florida has a significantly

higher amount of victims shown clearly on the graph. This graph looks at several

things. It shows the extent of the problem and the amount of children who were

victimized within certain sates.

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Changes in the Problem

Child Abuse and Neglect Cases Substantiated and Indicated- Victims Characteristics: 1990 to
2005 ( Changes)

1,000,000

899,454
900,000 864,837 876,937

800,000
742,519

700,000

600,000

500,000 Victims Total

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

0
1990 2000 2004 2005

This graph represents how the problem of Child Abuse has changed overtime. The

graph takes the total number of male and female victims and displays their totals

indicated on the data table together. By starting with the year 1990 and observing the

totals up until 2005, you can see an increase in the number of victims over the years. This

shows how the total number of victims changed as time went on.

This graph explains the change that occurred over the course of 1990 to 2005 in

dealing with the total number of victims affected by child abuse and neglect. The graph

breaks down the number of victims into hundreds of thousandths and provides data that

shows how the rates of child abuse and neglect cases gradually went up. The change is

apparent within the data shown in the graph.

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Disparities in the Problem

Child Abuse and Neglect Cases Substantiated and Indicated -Victims Characteristics: 1999 to
2005 ( Disparities)

500,000

450,000

400,000

350,000

300,000

Male
250,000
Female

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0
1990 2000 2004 2005

This graph shows the disparities pertaining to child abuse and neglect. The figure

shown above looks at the sex of the victim and the disparities between the two. It depicts

the differences between male and female victim rates ranging from 1990 to 2005.

This graph explains the differences between how many males who are

abused and females who are abused also. It displays the data according to sex over a

period of four years. By observing the data the viewer can clearly see that female children

were abused more frequently than male children. The graph displays the number of

victims with in the hundreds of thousandths. The graph is a clear depiction of how male

and female victim amounts are different based on the sex of the child. The graph clearly

indicates that there was a substantially higher amount of girls abused and neglected than

boys between1990 to 2005.

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Summary and Conclusion

In researching Child Abuse and Neglect Cases Reported and Investigated by

State: 2005 I looked at the magnitude, scope, changes, and disparities of the problem. It

was interesting to see how the sex, gender and location changed as I viewed different

levels of the problem. By viewing this data I have learned that child abuse and neglect is

more prevalent within certain areas of the United States than it is in other areas. The

number of victims changes from state to state some times in a dramatic fashion. I think

that there should be more preventative programs implemented in areas that display high

rates of neglect. I also believe that by educating the community on anger management

and the consequences of abusing a child could possibly decrease victim rates across the

board.
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Citations

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2008/tables/08s0336.xls

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2008/tables/08s0335.xls