What happens to sexually abused children identified by child protective services?

Abstract

Fifty-eight sexually abused children who had received child protective services were followed up on average a little under three years after initial identification. About half of the cases were still receiving child welfare services. Close to half of the children were out of their homes at follow-up, and those who had been placed had spent on average more than three years in placement. Family composition change, other than removal of the child, had occurred in more than half of the victim's families. There were substantiated re-referrals for child maltreatment on approximately one fourth of the cases. These findings are examined in terms of what constitutes good child welfare practice.