About Child Abuse
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is child abuse?
Child abuse can include any behavior, action or omission by an
adult that causes or allows harm to come to a child. That can include
physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and/or neglect.
Individual states and other government agencies have specific legal
definitions that are used to substantiate reports of alleged maltreatment.
How many children are reported and investigated for abuse or neglect?
In 2007, 3.2 million referrals, involving more than 5.8 million
children, were made to Child Protective Service (CPS) agencies.
More than 55% of these reports were made by professionals such
physicians, teachers, and social service workers.
How many children are victims of maltreatment?
An estimated 794,000 children in the 50 states, the District of
Columbia and Puerto Rico were determined substantiated victims
of abuse or neglect in 2007.
What does it mean to substantiate an allegation of abuse?
The term "substantiated" means that an allegation of
maltreatment was confirmed according to the level of evidence required
by the state law or state policy. The term "indicated" is
sometimes used by investigators when there is insufficient evidence
to substantiate a case under state law or policy, but there is
reason to suspect that maltreatment occurred or that there is risk
of future maltreatment.
Is the number of abused or neglected children increasing?
The number of substantiated victims has fluctuated by approximately
0.9% since 2002. The numbers cited here are from the 2007 Child Maltreatment
Report published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Increases may be related to actual increase of incidents, better
reporting by states, or greater recognition and reporting of child
abuse within communities, while decreases may indicate reduction
in incidents, poor reporting by states, or changes in definitions
regarding substantiated cases.<
Statistics continue to show that a child abuse victim is at high
risk of suffering repeated abuse or neglect. Through the Child
and Family Services Review, the Children’s Bureau has established
the current national standard for recurrence as 94.6%.
It is challenging to acquire comprehensive statistics regarding
the true incidence of child abuse. Currently, the Department of
Health and Human Services is conducting a study aimed at collecting
statistics from various agency sources to develop a more accurate
picture of the incidence of child abuse and neglect across the
country. These new sources include law enforcement agencies, tribal
jurisdictions, and other social service agencies that are not included
What are the most common types of maltreatment?
The majority (59%) of victims suffered from neglect. Child Protective
Services investigations determine that 10.8 % of victims suffered
from physical abuse, 7.6% suffered from sexual abuse,4.2% suffered
from emotional maltreatment, less than 1% experienced medical neglect, and 13.1% suffered multiple forms of maltreatment.
In addition, 4.1 percent of victims experienced such "other" types
of maltreatment as "abandonment," "threats of harm
to the child," or "congenital drug addiction." States
may consider any condition that does not fall into one of the main
categories — e.g. physical abuse, neglect, or emotional maltreatment — as "other." These
maltreatment type percentages total more than 100 percent because
children who were victims of more than one type of maltreatment
were counted for each incident. Although the percentage of emotional
maltreatment appears low, this statistic may be misleading. The
Child Welfare Information Gateway states, “Emotional abuse
is often difficult to prove and, therefore, CPS may not be able
to intervene without evidence of harm to the child. Emotional abuse
is almost always present when other forms [of abuse] are identified”.
How many children die each year from child abuse?
During 2007, an estimated 1760 children (compared to 1,560 children
for FY 2006) died from abuse or neglect. Of those, 75.7% were younger
than four years old. This number may not accurately reflect the
actual number of fatalities due to abuse and neglect. Many researchers
and practitioners believe child fatalities due to abuse and neglect
are still underreported. Studies in Colorado and North Carolina
have estimated that as many as 50 to 60 percent of child deaths
resulting from abuse or neglect are not recorded as such (Crume,
DiGuiseppi, Byers, Sirotnak, Garrett, 2002; Herman-Giddens, Brown,
Verbiest, Carlson, Hooten, et al., 1999).
Who abuses and neglects children?
In 2007, exactly 73.4 percent of perpetrators of child maltreatment
were parents, and another 7% were relatives of the child. Unrelated
caregivers, such as foster parents, child daycare providers, and
legal guardians accounted for less than 10% of perpetrators.
Mothers comprised a larger percentage of perpetrators,
44.4% compared to fathers, 18%, however 16.8% of cases indicated both parents were involved. Approximately one-half of all victims
were White (46.1%), 21.7% were African-American, and 20.8% were
Child maltreatment occurs across socio-economic, religious, cultural,
racial, and ethnic groups.
What makes people abuse children?
It is difficult to imagine that any person would intentionally
inflict harm on a child. Many times, physical abuse can result
when the physical punishment is inappropriate for the child's age,
and parents have an unrealistic expectation of their child’s
behavior. A parent feeling undue stress may also react inappropriately.
Most parents want to be good parents but sometimes lose control.
Child abuse can be a symptom that parents are having difficulty
coping with other situations, such as those involving finances,
work, or housing.
A significant factor in many situations relates to a parent’s
inexperience with or lack of understanding of typical child development.
Many childhood behaviors can be frustrating but are normal. Lack
of understanding about normal behaviors may lead a parent to react
in a punitive manner. Parents with their own negative childhood
experiences may not have healthy role models to follow.
Other stress factors in the home may increase the risk of abuse
or neglect, also. These can include drug or alcohol abuse, family
crises, marital difficulties, domestic violence, depression or
Are victims of child abuse more likely to engage in criminality later in life?
Victims of child abuse are likely to experience a wide variety
of negative outcomes throughout their lives. Involvement in criminal
activity is one. For children, the National Survey of Child and
Adolescent Well-Being found that children placed in out-of-home
care due to abuse or neglect tended to score lower than the general
population on measures of cognitive capacity, language development,
and academic achievement (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Other studies have found abuse and neglected children to be at
least 25% more likely to experience problems such as delinquency,
teen pregnancy, low academic achievement, drug use, and mental
In one long-term study of young adults who had been abused, as
many as 80% met the diagnostic criteria for at least one psychiatric
disorder at age 21. These young adults exhibited many problems,
including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicide attempts
(Silverman, Reinherz, & Giaconia, 1996). Other psychological
and emotional conditions associated with abuse and neglect include
panic disorder, dissociative disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and reactive attachment
disorder (Teicher, 2000).
The challenges that victims experience continue as they move into
adulthood. The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics
reports the following adult statistics for 2002:
- 31% of jail inmates had grown up with a parent or guardian
who abused alcohol or drugs.
- About 12% had lived in a foster home or institution.
- 46% had a family member who had been incarcerated.
- More than 50% of the women in jail said they had been physically
or sexually abused in the past, and more than 10% of the men.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that nearly two-thirds
of all adults entering treatment for drug abuse report being victims
of child abuse or neglect.
Is there any evidence linking alcohol or other drug use to child maltreatment?
There is significant research that demonstrates this connection.
Research has shown that among confirmed cases of child abuse and
neglect, 40% involved the use of alcohol or other drugs (Journal
of American Medical Association, and Children of Alcoholics). Substance
abuse does not cause child abuse and neglect, but it is a distinct
factor in its occurrence.
Can we prevent child abuse and neglect?
Yes, we can make a difference. There are many types of prevention
programs across the country. Research has shown that effective
programs share similar elements, such as working with families
early and on a long-term, intensive basis. Effective programs offer
assistance with family problems, refer families to outside supports
when needed, and have a structured framework for staff in working
with families. These elements are found in the National Exchange
Club Foundation’s Parent Aide home visitation program model.
The Parent Aide Program is the signature program of NECF and is
offered at all of the Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers
across the country. You can make a difference as you support NECF’s
Child Abuse Prevention Centers and the Parent Aide Program.
Where can I find more information?
§ Child Welfare Information Gateway
2006 Child Maltreatment Report
CDC Child Maltreatment Prevention
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Friends National Resource Center