Child abuse and neglect costing state $74 billion each year, study finds

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Child welfare advocates are urging South Carolina lawmakers to invest in prevention strategies after a new study found the state loses more than $74 billion each year because of the long-term impacts of child abuse and neglect.

The analysis was Commission by Children's Trust of South Carolina, and conducted by Dr. Joseph Von Nessen with USC’s Darla Moore School of Business. It examined how abuse affects children throughout their lives and into adulthood, causing lost wages and higher medical costs.

“Childhood abuse and neglect often leads to chronic health conditions that leads to increased dropout rates, which affects educational attainment and then impacts productivity and earnings in the workplace," Von Nessen said.

The report says that investment in mitigation co