Canadian Child Abuse Study finds 1 of 20 children abused

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The Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS) is a significant survey that provides nationally aggregated information on investigated child maltreatment in Canada. The following are major findings from the most recent cycle of the study, the CIS-2019:

Investigations Conducted: An estimated 299,171 investigations were conducted in Canada in 2019, which translates to 48.22 investigations per 1000 children.

Substantiated Maltreatment: 34% of these investigations were for substantiated maltreatment. Among the substantiated cases:

• Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) was the most frequently noted subtype.
• 4% involved physical harm to the child.
• 35% involved emotional harm.

Child Welfare Services:

• 20% of investigations were transferred to ongoing child welfare services.
• An out-of-home placement was made in 5% of investigations.

Comparison with Previous Cycles:

• The rate of investigations in Canada in 2019 was higher than those reported in previous CIS cycles and in Australian and American studies.

The data from the CIS-2019 fill a crucial gap in knowledge regarding child welfare services in Canada and will serve as a foundation for developing policies related to protecting children and promoting their well-being.

Sources: 

Fallon, B., Joh-Carnella, N., Trocmé, N. et al. Major Findings from the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect 2019. Int. Journal on Child Malt. 5, 1–17 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42448-021-00110-9

Profile of Canadians who experienced victimization during childhood, 2018. (2022, December 12). https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2022001/article/00016-eng.htm

A review of recent analyses of the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS) - HPCDP: Volume 35-8/9, October/November 2015. (2015, November 25). Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-35-no-8-9-2015/review-recent-analyses-canadian-incidence-study-reported-child-abuse-neglect-cis.html

Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect. (2001, December 4). Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/canadian-incidence-study-reported-child-abuse-neglect.html