Old Figures

from http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/234997.html

Clarification of Answer by slawek-ga on 25 Jul 2003 22:47 PDT

Good Day benfranklin,

Here is some additional information I was able to find in scientific
journals.


FATAL MALTREATMENT STATISTICS

Excerpt: "Approximately 2000 children die annually in the United
States from maltreatment. Although maternal and child risk factors for
child abuse have been identified, the role of household composition
has not been well-established."

Excerpt: "Children residing in households with adults unrelated to
them were 8 times more likely to die of maltreatment than children in
households with 2 biological parents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 8.8;
95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.6-21.5). Risk of maltreatment death
also was elevated for children residing with step, foster, or adoptive
parents (aOR: 4.7; 95% CI: 1.6-12.0), and in households with other
adult relatives present (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5).

Source: Pediatrics; Apr2002, Vol. 109 Issue 4, p615, 7p, 1bw


SEXUAL ABUSE

Excerpt: "Using data from the sexual abuse (cases) drawn from the
state of Iowa, no biologically related caretakers are found to be
substantially over represented in the volume of sexual abuse which was
reported, and biologically related caretakers are underrepresented."

Summary: Of the 2662 cases of sexual abuse, 181 (6.8%) were attributed
to a biological female parent.  Only 4 cases (0.1%) of the 2662 cases
are attributed to a female adoptive parent.

Source: Child Sexual Abuse by Caretakers
Lesle Margolin; John L. Craft
Family Relations, Volume 38, Issue 4 (Oct. 1989) 450-455.

Having read through a whole bundle of information, I have found no
reference to an increased or decreased likelihood of abuse towards
adoptive children when biological children are present.  This does not
appear to be a factor.

As always, please do request a clarification regarding any part
(present or missing) of my answer.  I will be all of Saturday, but
expect to be doing some work on Sunday.

Have a great weekend!

Regards,
slawek-ga

so isn't sexual abuse a type of maltreatment?  isn't it also harder to prove and report?  are there any other studies on this?