Child Abuse: Causes, Effects and Prevention

In 2022, U.S. Child Protective Service Agencies substantiated 95,000 cases of child physical abuse, with 677 cases tragically resulting in death. In Tennessee alone, there were 8,122 reports of maltreatment, nearly half involving physical abuse. These statistics greatly underestimate the incidence of child physical abuse in the country and in our state, as many cases go unreported or unsubstantiated. Erin Wade, MD, MS board certified child abuse pediatrician and member of the Child Advocacy Resource and Evaluation Services team at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, talks today about the signs of child abuse and ways to prevent harm to your child and children in your community.