Numerous studies indicate a correlation between child abuse and crime, mental illness, medical problems, drug and alcohol abuse, runaways, youth suicides, teenage prostitution, juvenile sex offenders, education and employment problems, and other social problems. This recognition is in part responsible for the increasing demand for prevention of child abuse as a means of preventing many of the overwhelming social ills society is currently facing.

There is a growing realization that child abuse prevention is cost effective from a public policy perspective. The estimated cost of social services, criminal justice, health, mental health, and other systems intervention for the untreated or undertreated victims of child abuse is enormous. These costs include such things as medical treatment, therapy, foster care, and incarceration. Prevention is recognized as a long-term approach to reducing the demands on the overburdened intervention and response systems. (Child Abuse Prevention  Handbook)