This indicator represents the rate of abuse or neglect per 1000 of Utah child population. This calculation for this indicator is the number of distinct confirmed victims of abuse or neglect for each year divided by the child population for the year and then multiplied by 1000. 

This measure is used by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and aggregated in the Child Maltreatment report they release each year. 

Rate of abuse and neglect data source: Utah's SAFE database (child welfare data system). 
Child population data source: ACS (US Census Bureau) 5-year estimates, which tend to be more accurate than either the 1-year or mixing census types.

Experiencing child abuse and neglect is correlated to negative physical and mental health outcomes that can last a lifetime. DCFS strives to reduce rates of abuse and neglect in partnership with the broader child welfare community. Tracking this indicator helps DCFS to better understand the impact of programs and services that work to reduce abuse and neglect rates in Utah. Overall, this measure showed improvement from CY 2019 through CY 2024, declining from 11.7 to 9.4 per 1,000 children. In CY 2025, the rate increased to 10.0, which DCFS is monitoring closely. It is important to note that Utah's rate is higher than the national average in part because Utah includes out-of-home perpetrators in its data, whereas other child welfare agencies typically only count in-home perpetrators. DCFS will continue to evaluate contributing factors and strengthen prevention efforts to return to the previous downward trend.