Child Abuse is a serious problem that can have lasting harmful effects on its victims. The social and economic costs of child abuse and neglect are difficult to calculate.

In Shasta County, child abuse rates are three times higher than the state average.

Some costs are straightforward and directly related to maltreatment, such as hospital costs for medical treatment of injuries sustained as a result of physical abuse and foster care costs resulting from the removal of children when they cannot remain safely with their families.

Other costs, less directly tied to the incidence of abuse, include lower academic achievement, adult criminality, and lifelong mental and physical health problems. Both direct and indirect costs impact our society and economy.