Page 39 - 2015 Compass Now

Figure 11: Child Abuse and Neglect Reports (Rate per 1,000)

Reports per 35
1,000 Population 30

25

20

15

10

5

0 Monroe Trempealeau Vernon Houston Wisconsin Minnesota
La Crosse

2009 28.8 28.2 24.6 21.0 0.0 29.0 3.7

2010 24.5 22.3 16.9 21.0 1.4 30.3 3.5 COMMUNITY

2011 24.5 20.6 14.7 16.2 0.9 28.8 3.5

2012 21.9 22.5 18.9 27.9 N/A 29.9 N/A

2013 23.2 20.1 17.5 19.3 N/A 30.7 N/A

Source: The Annie E. Casey Foundation, KIDS Count Data Center. Minnesota and Houston data only include
substantiated claims of abuse. Data for Minnesota and Houston was only available from 2011 and earlier.

Child abuse and neglect also make victims more susceptible to negative health outcomes later in life.
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study is one of the largest investigations ever conducted that
assesses the associations between childhood maltreatment and later-life health and well-being. This study
determined that certain negative experiences in childhood, including verbal and sexual abuse, separation or
divorce of parents, living with a problem drinker or street drug user, not having enough to eat, and having a
family member in prison, were correlated with a higher likelihood of developing negative health problems in
adulthood, including alcoholism, depression, illicit drug use, adolescent pregnancy, and early initiation of
smoking and sexual activity.

ACEs and their negative health impacts are reflected in many COMPASS NOW indicators such as rates of
illegal drug use, domestic violence, and child abuse, as well as rates of chronic disease, obesity, smoking,
and unhealthy behaviors. By exploring the root causes of both the ACEs themselves and their associated
outcomes, and addressing them as a community, the Great Rivers Region can begin to impact the overall
health of the community on a variety of fronts.

How people rate the care of vulnerable populations

Respondents of the COMPASS NOW 2015 Random Household Survey were asked to rate several items
related to the community’s care for vulnerable populations. These items included: a place that meets the
needs of elderly, a place that meets the needs of persons with disabilities, availability of quality child care,
ability to pay for quality child care, and efforts to prevent abuse or neglect. Overall, residents rated these
items very similarly. Figure 12 offers further details.

COMPASS NOW 2015 31