Child Abuse

Child Abuse Statistics in the USA

An estimated 906,000 children are victims of abuse & neglect every year. The rate of victimization is 12.3 children per 1,000 children Children ages 0-3 are the most likely to experience abuse. They are victimized at a rate of 16.4 per 1,000. 1,500 children die every year from child abuse and neglect. That is just over 4 fatalities every day. 79% of the children killed are younger than 4.

Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect in USA
80% of young adults who had been abused met the diagnostic criteria for at least 1 psychiatric disorder at the age of 21 (including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, & post-traumatic stress disorder)
Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy
Children who experience child abuse & 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 violent crime.
14.4% of all men in prison in the United States were abused as children and 36.7% of all women in prison were abused as children
Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely develop alcohol abuse
Children who have been sexually abused are 3.8 times more likely develop drug addictions
Nearly 2/3’s of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused as children

Cycle of Abuse in USA
1/3 of abused and neglected children will eventually victimize their own children
Additional Statistics on Child Abuse inUSA
There are nearly 3 million reports of child abuse made annually
In 2003, there were 906,000 child abuse convictions
The rate of child abuse is estimated to be 3 times greater than is reported.
The rate of victimization is 12.3 children per 1,000 children
Children ages 0-3 are the most likely to experience abuse. They are victimized at a rate of 16.4 per 1,000
79% of the children killed are younger than 4.
These statistics are from the Administration for Children & Families of the US Department of Health & Human Services “Child Maltreatment Report 2003”
Consequences of Child Abuse in the USA
80% of young adults who had been abused met the diagnostic criteria for at least 1 psychiatric disorder at the age of 21 (including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, & post-traumatic stress disorder)
Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy
Abused teens are 3 times less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs
These statistics are from the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse & Neglect Information. Long-term Consequences of Child Abuse & Neglect 2005.
The Link Between Abuse As a Child & Future Criminal Behavior
14.4% of all men in prison in the USA were abused as children
36.7% of all women in prison were abused as children
Children who experience child abuse & 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 violent crime. These statistics are compiled from US Department of Justice Reports
The Link Between Child Abuse & Substance Abuse
Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely develop alcohol abuse
Children who have been sexually abused are 3.8 times more likely develop drug addictions
Nearly 2/3’s of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused as children

http://www.childhelp.org/resources/learning-center/statistics