Racial disparities in child maltreatment: The role of social service availability

Using survey data collected from families in Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics in Franklin County, Ohio, United States, this study examines racial disparities in child maltreatment through a focus on the relationship between social services availability and child maltreatment across black and white families. In the study county, black families were more likely to live within a closer distance of poverty, mental health, and substance abuse services compared to white families. White and black families reported similar levels of neglect, but black families reported higher levels of physically abusive behaviors. Proximity to poverty services was associated with lower rates of neglect for white families, but not black families; while proximity to mental health services was associated with lower rates of neglect for black families but not white families. Proximity to substance abuse services was associated with lower rates of physical abuse for white families, but no services were associated with decreased physical abuse for black families.