Abstract
Despite a rapidly growing U.S. Latinx child population and this group’s representation in the child welfare system (CWS), limited research exists on Latinx children reported to the CWS for child sexual abuse (CSA). This study examined how the intersection of race/ethnicity, age, and biological sex impact case substantiation among Latinx, Black, and White children reported for CSA. We analyzed 2012 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System Child File data using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) to examine a sample of children reported to the CWS for CSA (n = 179,199). GLMMs indicated that among children reported for CSA, Black (AOR = 1.12) and White (AOR = 1.17) children had significantly higher odds of case substantiation compared to Latinx children, controlling for other factors. Main effects indicate older children (in mean-centered years; OR = 1.09) and female children (OR = 2.52) had higher odds of substantiation. Out of the states included in the post-hoc analysis, 16 (84%) had female to male substantiation ratios that were higher for Latinx children compared to White children. In these same states, only 9 (56%) had ratios for Black children that were higher than the rate for White children. Results indicate it is critical to continue examining how child sex, race/ethnicity, age, and state differences may affect CSA case substantiation rates. These findings underscore the importance of providing accessible culturally and linguistically appropriate CWS services that are also responsive to sex and developmental stage.
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Notes
Hereafter, the term White refers to non-Latinx White people, and Black refers to non-Latinx Black people.
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Acknowledgements
Some of Laurie Graham’s time and effort for this research was supported by the Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Fellowship awarded by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. We acknowledge Diane Wyant for her feedback and edits of previous versions of this manuscript. The analyses presented in this publication were based on data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) Child File, FFY 2012v1. These data were provided by the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect at Cornell University and have been used with permission. The data were originally collected under the auspices of the Children’s Bureau. Funding was provided by the Children’s Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The collector of the original data, the funding agency, NDACAN, Cornell University, and the agents or employees of these institutions bear no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations presented here. The information and opinions expressed reflect solely the opinions of the authors.
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Graham, L.M., Lanier, P., Finno-Velasquez, M. et al. Substantiated Reports of Sexual Abuse among Latinx Children: Multilevel Models of National Data. J Fam Viol 33, 481–490 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-018-9967-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-018-9967-2