Definition: The rate of child maltreatment is the annual ratio of unduplicated victims of verified most serious finding of maltreatment per 1,000 child population (calculated by the Department of Children and Families). This measure is calculated over the course of a fiscal year, starting July 1st and ending June 30th.

Source: Child Welfare Trend Reports, Florida Department of Children and Families (Per Capita Child Abuse Rate Report)

2025 Target: 9.39 per 1,000 Children

Below is a comparison of the value for this indicator among seven coastal counties: Charlotte, Sarasota, Collier, Lee, Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas. These counties have been recommended as comparable counties by Sarasota County Government.

Victims of Child Maltreatment per 1,000 Children (FY July 1st 2015-June 30th 2016)

From July 1st, 2015 to June 30th, 2016, the child maltreatment rate in Sarasota County was 12.31 victims per 1,000 child population. The economic recession brought with it a 28% increase in child maltreatment between 2009 and 2012. From 2012 to 2014, the rate decreased 35%. More recently the rate has increased 18% since 2014. Sarasota County’s child maltreatment rate was higher than that of the state of Florida in 2016, and has been consistently higher that the state’s with the exception of 2014.

A recent report, The Prevalence of Confirmed Maltreatment among US Children, 2004-2011, identifies three primary factors that influence perpetrators of child maltreatment: mental health issues, responses to stress, and a history of trauma. Subject matter experts recognize the local heroin epidemic, among other substance abuse issues, as contributing to the increasing rate of child maltreatment, and consequently, the removal of children from their homes. Child abuse victims are at risk of experiencing: poor health throughout life, underachievement in academics, problems with judgement and decision making, and higher levels of stress, anger and irritation. Abuse victims are also five times more likely to attempt suicide. Efforts to reduce child maltreatment will reduce the need for more costly interventions in the future, and enhance quality of life for many.