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Abuse Statistics

Experts cannot agree on a single reason for this increase, but most attribute it to both a population increase and an increase in reporting. Other factors that are sometimes cited include changing a wider definition of child abuse, increased reporting requirements, states providing more accurate information, better recording systems, and changes in data collections.

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.

(Chart courtesy ChildHelp USA)

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 in USA

* 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

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

These statistics are compiled from the National Institute on Drug Abuse 2000 Report & Child Abuse & Neglect Study by Arthur Becker-Weidman PhD

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