In Dauphin County since 2001, the number of suspected child abuse referrals has been steadily increasing. In 2001, Dauphin County received 477 reports of suspected child abuse, in 2002 the county received 556 reports, and in 2003 the county received 580 reports.

Nationwide, children under the age of 18 years old comprise 67 percent of all reported incidents of sexual assault. Children younger that 12 years old comprise 34 percent. For victims younger than 12 years old, 4 year olds are at the greatest risk of sexual assault.

In 2000, 879,000 children in the United States were victims of abuse and neglect. Of those children, 62.8 percent suffered neglect, 19.3 percent were physically abused, 10.1 percent were sexually abused and 7.7 percent were psychologically maltreated.

In 2000, the highest victimization rate was for children aged 0-3, and approximately 1,200 children died as a result of abuse or neglect.