Economics of Child Protection: Maltreatment, Foster Care, and Intimate Partner Violence

Area of Science:

• Economics
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Child maltreatment and intimate partner violence are significant public health issues.
• Millions of children experience abuse, neglect, or witness domestic violence annually in the U.S.
• These adverse experiences are linked to detrimental long-term outcomes including homelessness, criminal justice involvement, and chronic health problems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the existing economic literature on the causes and consequences of child maltreatment and intimate partner violence.
• To highlight the economic impacts of these adversies on individuals and society.
• To identify gaps in research and call for future studies on effective interventions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of economic research.
• Analysis of empirical studies on child maltreatment and intimate partner violence.
• Synthesis of findings on risk factors, economic consequences, and intervention effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Economic factors play a role in the prevalence of child maltreatment and intimate partner violence.
• Significant economic costs are associated with these issues, including healthcare, criminal justice, and lost productivity.
• Evidence on the economic impact of interventions is growing but requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Child maltreatment and intimate partner violence have profound and lasting economic consequences.
• Economic research is crucial for understanding and addressing these societal challenges.
• Further investment in evidence-based interventions is needed to improve child well-being and reduce long-term costs.