Substantiation of spouse and child maltreatment reports as a function of referral source and maltreatment type.
Substantiation rates for alleged incidents of spouse (N = 33,787) and child (N = 31,986) maltreatment reported to the U.S. Air Force (AF) Family Advocacy Program between 2000 and 2007 were examined. For spouse maltreatment, physical abuse and multiple forms of maltreatment were most likely to be substantiated and neglect was least likely to be substantiated. For child maltreatment, emotional abuse was most likely to be substantiated and physical abuse was least likely to be substantiated. Substantiation rates were higher for referrals by military professionals than for referrals by civilian professionals or nonprofessionals; considerable variation in substantiation rates within each of these categories also was observed. Overall, AF substantiation rates were higher for spouse than for child maltreatment, and substantiation rates for child maltreatment were higher in the AF than in the general U.S. population. Substantiation rates have declined over time in both the AF and the United States.
Foster
Rachel E
RE
Family Advocacy Policy and Research, 485 Quentin Roosevelt Road, Building 171, San Antonio, TX 78226, USA.
Stone
Fred P
FP
Linkh
David J
DJ
Besetsny
Leasley K
LK
Collins
Pamela S
PS
Saha
Tapan
T
Thomsen
Cynthia J
CJ
Rabenhorst
Mandy M
MM
Milner
Joel S
JS
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States