Poster #104 - Does State Political Affiliation Predict Child Maltreatment Rates?

• In Event: Poster Session II (posters 80 – 155)

Abstract

Child maltreatment is a critical criminal justice and public health crisis. While federal statutes establish baseline protections, individual state governments hold the power to define, fund, and prosecute child abuse and neglect. This variance suggests that state-level political environments and legislative priorities may influence child maltreatment reporting rates. This study proposes to examine the relationship between state political affiliation and child maltreatment rates across the United States.This research aims to determine if a state’s governing party (Republican, Democratic, or divided) serves as a predictor for child abuse and neglect statistics.

Authors

• Lillian Tischer, Sam Houston State University

• Andia Azimi, Sam Houston State University