Connecticut’s Top Cops: Target Child Abuse to Cut Violent Crime
Jul 24th 2008
HARTFORD, CONN. -- Connecticut law enforcement leaders, along with Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez, released a new report by the anti-crime organization Fight Crime: Invest in Kids showing that child abuse and neglect produce an estimated 400 future violent criminals every year.
In a news conference at city hall, Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez, Hartford Police Chief Daryl Roberts, and Wethersfield Chief James Cetran called on the state's Congressional delegation to support legislation for quality home-visiting programs proven to cut child abuse and prevent future crime and violence.
The Education Begins At Home Act (EBAH) would provide support needed by states to expand home visiting programs proven to reduce child abuse and neglect.
"I urge our elected officials in Congress to bring the Education Begins at Home Act to the floor for a vote," Perez said. "This crucial measure will support the expansion of high quality home visiting programs. If this bill becomes law, more at risk families will get the help they need, saving innocent lives in the process."
According to the report, Breaking the Cycle of Child Abuse and Reducing Crime in Connecticut: Coaching Parents Through Intensive Home Visiting, in 2006 more than 10,000 children were abused and neglected in Connecticut, enough to fill U. Conn.'s Gampell Pavilion. From 2000 to 2005, 54 children died as a result of abuse and neglect in Connecticut.
Child abuse and neglect too often launches a cycle of violence that extends into the next generation. One study found that poor mothers who were abused or neglected as children were 13 times more likely to abuse their children later on.
Victims of abuse and neglect are significantly more likely to commit crime and violence as adults. Another study found that victims of abuse and neglect were 29 percent more likely to be arrested for violent crimes as adults, when compared to individuals with similar backgrounds.
A study of the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), a voluntary home visiting program, found that the program cut child abuse and neglect in half and reduced later arrests of children and mothers by about 60 percent.
"From my vantage point as a police chief, I am compelled to speak out about the issue of child abuse and neglect in our state. Our officers see children who are beaten, bruised, sexually molested, left hungry, without proper medical attention, and unattended in dangerous homes," Roberts said. "Fortunately, we can do something about this by supporting voluntary home visiting programs to put a stop to child abuse and neglect and keep our kids safe."
Home visiting programs are voluntary, allowing trained professionals to work with at-risk parents, helping them learn about the health and nutrition needs of young children, make their homes child-safe and find child care resources in their neighborhoods.
"By passing the Education Begins At Home Act, Congress can help prevent child abuse and make our communities a safer place to live," Perez said. "By increasing investments that help parents give their kids the care and support they need, we can ensure that Connecticut's most vulnerable children won't become Connecticut's most wanted adults."
Currently, Connecticut has several programs to help families at risk of abusing or neglecting their children. Due to inadequate funding, these programs serve only a fraction of eligible families. For example, one of the state's major home visiting programs, the Nurturing Families Network program serves only a third of all eligible at-risk first-time mothers.
"Through making smart investments in home visiting programs, we can protect innocent children from abuse, reduce crime, and save lives and money down the road," Wethersfield Chief James Cetran said.
To view a copy of the report, click here.
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