Child abuse cases double in 10 years

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- State officials believe increased awareness is the reason for an increase in the number of child abuse cases in Oklahoma. <br><br>More than 56-thousand-500 incidents of abuse

Monday, October 13th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- State officials believe increased awareness is the reason for an increase in the number of child abuse cases in Oklahoma.

More than 56-thousand-500 incidents of abuse and neglect were reported in 2002, more than double the nearly 26-thousand-350 in 1993.

A state Department of Human Services report says of the cases reported last year, more than 38-thousand met the definition of neglect and abuse.

Esther Rider-Salem with Child Protective Services says people are more award of child abuse and neglect. She says people are also more aware of their responsibility to report abuse and neglect.

The report says 35 Oklahoma children died because of abuse and neglect in 2002, 52 percent were younger than 1-year. Another 14 percent were between 1- and 2-years old.