National Child Abuse Statistics Child Abuse in America.....
Children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of child abuse and neglect. Over 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States; however, those reports can include multiple children. In 2007, approximately 5.8 million children were involved in an estimated 3.2 million child abuse reports and allegations.
Statistics-Almost five children die everyday as a result of child abuse. More than three out of four are under the age of 4.
-It is estimated that between 60-85% of child fatalities due to maltreatment are not recorded as such on death certificates.
-A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.
-Ninety percent of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68% are abused by family members.
-Child abuse occurs at every socio-economic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.
-Thirty-one percent of women in prison in the United States were abused as children.
-Over 60% of people in drug rehabilitation centers report being abused or neglected as a child.
-About 30% of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse.
-About 80% of 21 year old that were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.
-The estimated annual cost resulting from child abuse and neglect in the United States for 2007 is $104 billion.
Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect in USA
-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.
-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 addiction
-Nearly 2/3’s of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused as children
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Eighty percent 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
The Link Between Abuse As a Child & Future Criminal Behavior
-Fourteen percent of all men in prison in the USA were abused as children
-Thirty-six percent 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.
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
-Prevent Child Abuse America: Current Trends in Child Abuse Reporting & Fatalities: The 2000 Fifty State Survery
-National Center on Child Abuse Prevention Research: Prevent Child Abuse America; Current Trends in Child Abuse Reporting and Fatalities: The Results of the 1997 Annual Fifty State Survey
-Lung, C. & Daro D. (1996) Current Trends in Child Abuse Reporting and Fatalities: The Results of the 1995 Annual Fifty State Survey. Chicago: National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse. http://www.childabuse.com/fs9.htm
-US Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children & Families. Child Maltreatment 2003: Summary of Key Findings
-National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse & Neglect Information. Long-term Consequences of Child Abuse & Neglect 2005
-US Department of Justice
-Child Abuse & Neglect Study by Arthur Becker-Weidman PhD
-National Institute on Drug Abuse 2000 Report
-DePanfilis, D. (2006). Child neglect: A guide for prevention, assessment and intervention. Dept.HHS, et al
-Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect. Child Welfare Information Gateway.Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006. Retrieved August 22, 2007 from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/
What can be done? |
| Treatment, Prevention and Research are key. Childhelp, one of the largest and oldest national, non-profit organizations dedicated to treatment and prevention of child abuse, provides a broad continuum of programs that directly serve abused children and their families. Childhelp also leads public awareness campaigns to educate the public and rally communities behind the child abuse. |
What can I do? |
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By supporting Childhelp, you are playing a direct role in the treatment and prevention of child abuse. Your donations, purchases from the Childhelp store and the Gift of Hope gift catalogue, and time spent volunteering help a dedicated and passionate staff carry out Childhelp's mission of meeting the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children.
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