Child abuse and neglect
From 1997 to 2017, the child abuse and neglect rate increased in both Lenawee County and Michigan. From 2017 to 2024, this rate has decreased in both Lenawee County and Michigan (see Figure 17). As of 2024, an estimated 16.6 out of every 1,000 children in Lenawee County have experienced abuse or neglect, a rate higher than that of Michigan (11.4) (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Protective Services, 2025).
Even if a child’s situation is not considered severe enough to be placed in foster care, many children who experience ACEs are more susceptible to struggling with poor mental health later in life. Creating a safe and stable environment is vital for preventing child abuse and neglect and intergenerational trauma (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024).
Figure 17. Child abuse/neglect rate per 1,000 people, 2019–2023
Resources
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Protective Services. (2025, April). Confirmed victims of abuse and/or neglect, ages birth to 17. Kids Count Data Center; Michigan League for Public Policy. https://datacenter.aecf.org/data/line/1676-confirmed-victims-of-abuse-and-or-neglect-ages-birth-to-17?loc=24&loct=2
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, July 11). Preventing child abuse and neglect. Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/child-abuse-neglect/prevention/index.html
- Explore additional data points and resources