About Child Abuse

91% of Tennyson kids have experienced neglect, trauma, and/or physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Studies show that these kids are at much greater risk of homelessness, suicidality, substance abuse, PTSD, incarceration, and unemployment. They deserve better—and we are committed to delivering that.

Along with our community of child welfare leaders, advocates, and supporters, we are building a world that keeps more kids out of welfare, keeps families together, and helps all to heal and thrive.

You can be an advocate for children by learning the signs of abuse and reporting it. Remember, you are reporting suspicion of child abuse. Even if you aren’t sure, it’s better to let authorities check it out. You might save a child’s life!

Colorado has one toll-free phone number to report child neglect and abuse 24/7, 365 days a year. Please call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 844-CO-4-KIDS (844-264-5437) to report concerns about a child’s safety and well-being. All calls are confidential and will be routed to the county where a child resides. If it is an emergency or you are witnessing a child in a life-threatening situation, call 911 immediately.

Recognize Child Abuse

If you see a child you know acting differently, it could be a sign of abuse or neglect.

When you have concerns for a child’s well-being, the indicators listed below may help guide you. Many of these signs could be caused by things other than abuse or neglect. However, these indicators can indicate that a child’s safety may be at risk and the situation should be assessed by a professional who is able to determine the causes of these symptoms and offer the help and assistance necessary to reduce the child’s risk.

Signs of Neglect*

• Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
• Is frequently absent from school
• Begs for or steals food or money
• Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
• States that there is no one home to provide care
• Lacks adult supervision

Signs of Abuse

• Discloses maltreatment
• Is reluctant to be around a particular person
• Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
• Has unexplained bruises or injuries

* Information from Colorado Department of Human Services (www.co4kids.org). For additional signs of neglect and abuse, read this report.

Key Facts and Statistics About Child Abuse

According to the Children’s Defense Fund, a child is abused or neglected every 47 seconds in America.  In Colorado, this abuse costs an average of $830,928 per victim over their lifetime, and $27.2 billion in economic burden in the Denver metro area alone.  Sadly, the emotional and physical costs are even more staggering.

• Nearly a third of the Colorado fatalities involved victims younger than one-year-old, and two-thirds were three or younger. The same is true for near-fatal incidents.
• Nearly a third of families where a child had died because of maltreatment had some history with domestic violence.
• Nearly a third experienced substance abuse issues and more than a third included a history of mental health treatment for at least one caregiver.
• In 2018, 40.3% of all children in fatal, near fatal, and egregious incidents of child maltreatment lived in a household with two parents.
• 36 child fatalities in 2018 in Colorado, with 19 near fatalities.
• Since January 2015, more than 1 million calls have been made to the Colorado’s neglect and abuse hotline system.
• On an average day in Colorado, 14 children and teens are placed in foster care.
• Today, there are more than 2,000 children and teens living with a foster family in Colorado.
• Nonfatal child maltreatment costs an average $830,928 per victim/lifetime, which translates to $27.2 billion in economic burden for cases of maltreatment in the Denver metro area alone.

Resources and Links