A recent report shows rates of child abuse and neglect in Coffee County continue to exceed the average rates for Tennessee.
The rate of substantiated child abuse and neglect cases in Coffee County for 2021 is 6.1 percent, while the rate for the state is 3.7 percent. This rate represents unduplicated counts of child abuse and neglect cases for which sufficient evidence exists. The rate is per 1,000 child population younger than age 18, according to the report.
The rate of reports made in Coffee County is also higher compared to Tennessee. In Coffee County, 829 child abuse cases were reported for the year. This number represents 6.1 percent in Coffee County, exceeding the state rate of 4.8 percent. The rate is a percent of same age population, and the numbers come from the Department of Children's Services.
Annie E. Casey Foundation released its 2022 KIDS COUNT® Data Book last week. The report analyzes the well-being of children and families in the nation, including factors such as child abuse and neglect. Tennessee ranked 36th in the nation in overall child well-being. The report consists of various topics, including demographics, economic well-being, education, family and community, health, and safety.
Now is the time to take steps and prevent child abuse. The Coffee County Children’s Advocacy Center offers child abuse prevention training, Darkness to Light. Learn more about the training here: http://www.coffeecountycac.org/education-for-adults.
Find the full report here: https://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/customreports/6435/2986,3023.