DamnDifferenceMore5431 t1_ixcuybb wrote
Those numbers vary so much from one state to another that I have a hard time believing any of them. E.g. is it really plausible that NY and NJ differ by almost 10X?
arka0415 t1_ixcygcg wrote
At a glance, it looks like there might be an inverse correlation between population and reported child abuse cases? Many states with tiny under-18 populations like Maine, Alaska, and Montana rank in the top 10.
There are plenty of outliers in both directions (like New York) but I wonder what might inform a trend like that.
IamSauerKraut t1_ixd1kkq wrote
Whatever the raw numbers, trends or rates, Maine does a piss poor job to looking out for the best interests of abused children.
clhomme t1_ixdqy47 wrote
As an attorney who has worked in the child pectection system I disagree. I'd say Maine certainly isn't perfect but we do a pretty good job.
I've represented parents and been a guardian ad litem.
JEMColorado t1_ixdx9mi wrote
I wouldn't necessarily single out Maine. It's a national problem.
IamSauerKraut t1_ixek8wk wrote
whataboutism helps no one. plus, this is the Maine sub so it is about how it is in Maine.
Candygramformrmongo t1_ixcw81j wrote
What an interesting reaction. More than double the number of children died from abuse in Maine 2021 than in 2020. https://khn.org/morning-breakout/more-children-died-in-maine-in-2021-than-recorded-before/. We should be outraged and ashamed.
arka0415 t1_ixcxxgk wrote
Maine's high number is certainly a cause for concern. I think u/DifferenceMore5431's point is that there seems to be some odd geographical outliers in this data - New York and New Jersey have a massive gap in reported child abuse rates, even though those states are relatively similar in demographics. With that in mind, this might have to do with differing legal definitions of child abuse, or the relative funding and/or willingness of state governments to prosecute those cases.
Koboldsftw t1_ixdbnzm wrote
New York and New Jersey aren’t that similar in demographic. New Jersey and New York CITY are and NYC definitely does a lot to skew any stats about the state, but there’s a lot of rural area too which seems to correlate
Candygramformrmongo t1_ixd0b01 wrote
I hear you and possibly, but I’m less concerned about the relativity and more concerned with our specific situation in Maine. No matter how you look at it, our number is too high - especially for the most defenseless segment of our society. If someone’s reaction to that is to cast doubt based on 2 highly urbanized states that have nothing to do with Maine, then I question that person’s misplaced. priorities and outlook.
demalo t1_ixd5rgm wrote
What is more likely?
A. Maine is a shitty climate for children being abused and so therefore has a significantly higher rates of abuse than any other state.
B. Maine reports more child abuse cases per capita than any other state.
Also, is this a city thing? A rural thing? These numbers matter because it determines the solutions. Throwing money at every school or community is a waste of resources when this is specific to a certain location, demographic, economic region, etc.
arms_room_rat t1_ixdapwe wrote
I think both are the case personally. But I agree that the phenomenon should be closely investigated and more data would lead to better policy.
Candygramformrmongo t1_ixdixmb wrote
All or some combination of the above, I suspect. I’ve heard stories from rural law enforcement that would make your skin crawl. Kids kept prisoner and abused, often impregnated. All doors in the house removed. I think it is easier to isolate and control the abused in rural areas and people tend to keep to themselves more. I don’t think anyone said anything about “throwing money” at anything yet. We have a number of mandatory reporting professions, but education as to red flags is probably among the more important steps we could take.
Sugarloafer1991 t1_ixd6v40 wrote
They are next to each other, but NY is huge and outside of the extended NYC area, upstate is very much like Maine
DifferenceMore5431 t1_ixcwvdp wrote
What does that have to do with this post or my comment?
Candygramformrmongo t1_ixczazf wrote
The point is your initial reaction is doubt and denial rather than concern and digging for yourself. Does that help?
DifferenceMore5431 t1_ixczwy5 wrote
The data doesn't make any sense. I have no opinion about whether Maine is high or low. NJ and NY are similar states with very similar populations, you would expect them to be similar in this respect. Likewise WA and OR are showing as wildly different even though they too are quite similar.
demalo t1_ixd66ke wrote
NJ is a smaller state than NY. There is more rural area in NY. There are a lot of differences between the states, I’m sure there are plenty more than what I’ve mentioned.
DifferenceMore5431 t1_ixd8wh2 wrote
This is nonsense, they are extremely similar. NY has more somewhat more people but the demographics are extremely similar. E.g. from the census info for NJ vs NY:
- under 18: 21.8% vs 20.7%
- white: 71.1% vs 69.1%
- foreign born: 22.7% vs 22.4%
- college degree: 40.7% vs 37.5%
- lacking health insurance: 8.4% vs 6.1%
- poverty: 10.2% vs 13.9%
Nothing there explains a 10X difference in child abuse rates.
demalo t1_ixdcj7c wrote
There are 10 million more people in NY than NJ.
DifferenceMore5431 t1_ixe7bp9 wrote
...these numbers are already adjusted for population. According to OP, 1.5% of kids in NY are abused and only 0.2% in NJ.
IamSauerKraut t1_ixd1q6y wrote
>NJ and NY are similar states with very similar populations, you would expect them to be similar in this respect.
You would expect, eh? Well, clearly they are not. Maine needs to do better instead of folks saying why are they not as sucky as us?
Extreme-Status-5776 t1_ixd4jo5 wrote
One can still empathize with victims and question the legitimacy of the statistic. Trying to solve a problem using bad data isn’t helpful and with all of these things, especially when they’re extrapolated, it’s good to think about the mechanisms. For example, another way to read this chart is Pennsylvania has one of the highest rates of unreported child abuse, an even bigger issue than reported child abuse. Before you go white knighting on everyone, try not assume the worst of everyone’s intentions
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