Fathers Battling Injustice

Kids Safer with DAD!

Posted By: Researcher
Date: Thursday, 16 March 2000, at 3:02 a.m.

THE CANADIAN FAMILY FORUM Forum about legal and social issues of interest to Canadian families March 17, 2000

Child abuse investigation agency reports kids safest with their natural Dads

The CARE Centre, a well established and respected U.S. based child abuse investigation agency has published its statistics for the 1998 calendar year. In 1998, its fifth full year of operation, the agency served 1,102 child victims of sexual or physical abuse. This compares to 840 children served in 1997. In 1998, 58 percent of the children served were little girls; 42 percent were little boys. A summary of its 1998 data shows the following breakdown of persons involved in child abuse investigations:

Mother -- 32%* (the highest reported category

Father -- 22%

Stepfather -- 7%

Family friend/neighbor -- 5%

Mother's boyfriend -- 5%

Other family member -- 8%

Sibling -- 3%

Baby sitter/day care worker -- 3%

Other -- 7%**

Grandfather -- 3%

Grandmother -- 2%

Unknown -- 3%

*Most of the mothers were guilty of physical abuse or neglect. However, 78 mothers sexually abused their children and 306 mothers neglected their children or allowed their children to be abused. ** Includes stepmothers, guardians, sitters husband/boyfriend, other children in foster care, a child in day care, room supervisor, step-siblings, and 13 strangers.

It must be noted that 44% of all child abuse investigated by the agency was reported to be perpetrated by the children’s mothers, boyfriends and stepfathers. When compared to the incidence of child abuse of 22% by fathers, it clearly shows that children are less likely to be abused in the care of their natural fathers. This supports the theory held by many that fathers are natural protectors of their own offspring.

Background about CARE

CARE, the Child Abuse Response & Evaluation Center began in 1989 as a project between the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Mental Health Association in Oklahoma County. It was incorporated on October 31, 1991. A turn-of the century, Victorian house near the OU Health Sciences Center campus was located and purchased, and a ground breaking ceremony was held March 1, 1993. On November 21, 1993, a ribbon cutting and dedication was held to celebrate the opening of the CARE Center. In addition to state-of-the-art interview rooms and offices, the CARE Center has a well-stocked playroom, a conference room for weekly case reviews and medical exam room. Operating costs are funded through a mix of public and private funds. The CARE Center is governed by a 24-member board of directors, and employs a staff of three full time workers and one part-time worker who oversee the day-to-day operations of the center, including administration, volunteer recruitment and training, and case staffing.