New data: Child abuse on the rise

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) -- New numbers released for 2009 show episodes of violent, spontaneous child abuse have spiked.

In the statistics, which were released last week, it shows the number of outpatient evaluations for child abuse was 301 in 2008. In 2009, that number increased to 508.

As far as cases involving children coming to the hospital, the number went from 53 in '08 to 88 in '09.

As for the number of suspected child abuse cases forwarded to Dr. Debra Simms for a second opinion -- she specializes in child abuse cases at the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital -- the number went from 81 in 2008 to 199 in 2009.

Simms' office has been very busy lately.

"We are having to work harder and smarter," Simms said.

The data is statewide, but Kent County assistant prosecuting attorney Laura Clifton said she too has seen an increase in explosive child abuse cases, as opposed to chronic neglect over time.

She talked to 24 Hour News 8 on Sunday about one case she saw in the past few weeks.

"It was probably a near-2-year-old -- a little girl," Clifton said. "She has cerebral palsy, but she was presented with a severe black eye, black and blue on her ears which were indicative of being pinched (and) her buttocks were completely black and blue.

"I think of another little boy who was probably about 2. He had bruises all over his head as well as a pull fracture on his thumb."

Clifton and Simms cannot pinpoint the reason behind the dramatic increase, but Simms said often, the factors associated with a bad economy can lead to stress and lowered impulse control.

"Often, abuse is a crime of impulse, and when we are stressed, when we don't have resources, that's when we run into more problems," Simms said.

The only cure for abuse is prevention, she added. Simms said she hopes these numbers will make parents consider their stress levels, and how they can control them ahead of time.