Oklahoma DHS director says comparing state child abuse statistics misleading

Oklahoma DHS director says comparing state child abuse statistics misleading
Oklahoma is doing a better job of preventing child abuse and neglect than national statistics reflect, says DHS Director Howard Hendrick.
BY RANDY ELLIS
Published: October 17, 2010

Oklahoma is doing a better job of preventing child abuse and neglect than national statistics reflect, said Howard Hendrick, director of the Department of Human Services.

The federal government does not require states to use a uniform definition for child maltreatment in reporting abuse and neglect statistics, so states aren't all reporting the same things, he said.

"In Oklahoma, our definition is harm or risk of harm," he said. "In some states, you must have an actual physical injury,¹ and in some states you have a burden of proof that's clear and convincing evidence."²

Because Oklahoma uses a broader definition than many states, its abuse rates appear to be worse in comparison than they would if a standard definition were used, he said. FULL STORY

1- Also known as "actual real abuse" by the terms people think is abuse.
2- Or preponderance of the evidence which means if the parent gets NOTHING on the court record, they lose.

I Love Spin Doctors. There's not more abuse in Oklahoma. Just lots more prosecution for little or no real reason.