Child Abuse Facts

Child abuse can have damaging effects not only on the children who suffer it, but on communities
that must address the aftermath of abuse. Learn the facts about child abuse and how you can help
children in need.

Which children are most likely to suffer abuse or neglect?

1 in 10 children suffer from child maltreatment. 1 in 16 children suffer from sexual abuse. Nearly 1 in
10 children are witnesses to family violence.
The youngest children are the most vulnerable to maltreatment. Over 25% of abused children are
under the age of three while over 45% of abused children are under the age of five.
Number of children in the United States who died because of abuse or neglect in 2012:

1,593

Of the number of children who died because of abuse or neglect...

70.3% were younger than three years of age

44.4% were younger than one year of age

While boys and girls are equally as likely to be victims of abuse and neglect (in 2012, 48.5% of
abused children were boys while 51.2% of abused children were girls); the rate of child fatality is
higher for boys (in 2012, 57.6% of child fatalities due to abuse and neglect were boys).
More than 85% of the child fatalities in 2012 were white children. However, when comparing the
number of child fatalities to the population data, Pacific Islander and African-American children had
the highest rates of child fatalities (4.69 and 4.67 per 100,000 Pacific Islander and African-American
children).
In over 20% of the child fatalities that occurred in 2012, the child was exposed to domestic violence
in the home.
How many reports of child abuse are made?
Number of reports of child abuse every year in the United States:

Who reports child abuse?

2.9 million

Reports that came from teachers, law enforcement or legal representatives, or social service
providers: 60%(teachers 17%; law enforcement 17%; social service 11%).
Who is most likely to abuse or neglect children?
Of child abuse cases in 2012, in over

80% of the cases the parent was the perpetrator.

82.2%) of perpetrators were between the ages of 18 and 44

years while two-fifths (39.6%%) of perpetrators were in the 25-34 age group.
In 2012, more than four-fifths (

Of the 2012 child abuse cases,

female.

45.3% of the perpetrators were male and 53.5% were

What can happen to children who are abused or neglected?

As children
Babies who are victims of shaken baby syndrome can suffer bleeding in the eye or brain; damage to
the spinal cord and neck; rib and bone fractures. One in every four victims of shaken baby syndrome
dies, and nearly all victims experience serious health consequences. Child physical abuse can result
in the malformation of the brain, resulting in impaired mental development and lack of growth in vital
areas.
Child abuse victims as young as three years of age have shown signs of depression and withdrawal
symptoms.
Child abuse victims are more likely to exhibit anti-social behaviors, including borderline personality
disorders and violent behavior.
Child abuse victims placed in foster or kinship care because of abuse or neglect were found to score
lower than other students in tests of cognitive capacity, language development, and academic
achievement.

Child abuse and maltreatment can have a multitude of long-term effects on physical health.
Research has found that during the following three years after the maltreatment investigation, 28%
of abused and neglected children had a chronic health condition.
Nearly half of the infants in foster care who have experienced maltreatment exhibit some form of
cognitive delay and have lower IQ scores, language difficulties, and neonatal challenges compared
to children who have not been abused or neglected.
As teenagers

Abused children are

25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.

80%

In a study of young adults who suffered child abuse or neglect,

met criteria for at least one
psychiatric disorder by age 21, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicide attempts.
In a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study of homeless youth, it found

46% of those surveyed had escaped a home where they suffered physical abuse,
and 17% left because of sexual abuse.
that

Children who experience child abuse and neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile,
28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violence crime.
As adults
Adults who suffered child abuse and neglect can develop allergies, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, high
blood pressure, and ulcers, in addition to other physical disabilities because of poor health caused
by the abuse.
Child abuse and neglect have been associated with panic and dissociative disorders, attention deficit
and/or hyperactivity disorder, depression, anger, and post-traumatic stress disorder in children and in
adults who suffered abuse.

Adults who were abused or neglected as children are more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs during
their lifetimes. A study found that as many as two-thirds of individuals in drug treatment programs
reported being abused as children.
Continuing the cycle of abuse
Researchers estimate that one-third of abused and neglected children will grow up to abuse their
own children when they become parents.

How much can child abuse cost?

$124 billion: Estimated minimum annual cost of child abuse to U.S. communities to
provide

Healthcare to treat mental illnesses, substance abuse, mental and physical disabilities, and
other health-related issues

Child welfare and protection

Law enforcement and court systems allocation to handle juvenile and adult criminal cases

Special education costs

Unemployment and underemployment services and benefits