Child Abuse Statistics

Each week, child protective services (CPS) agencies throughout the United States receive more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. In 2002, 2.6 million reports concerning the welfare of approximately 4.5 million children were made.

In approximately two-thirds (67 percent) of these cases, the information provided in the report was sufficient to prompt an assessment or investigation. As a result of these investigations, approximately 896,000 children were found to have been victims of abuse or neglect—an average of more than 2,450 children per day.

More than half (60 percent) of victims experienced neglect, meaning a caretaker failed to provide for the child's basic needs. Fewer victims experienced physical abuse (nearly 20 percent) or sexual abuse (10 percent), though these cases are typically more likely to be publicized. The smallest number (7 percent) were found to be victims of emotional abuse, which includes criticizing, rejecting, or refusing to nurture a child.

An average of nearly four children die every day as a result of child abuse or neglect (1,400 in 2002).

Who is more likely to be abused or neglected?

No group of children is immune. Boys and girls are about equally likely to be abused or neglected.

Children of all races and ethnicities experience child abuse. In 2002, one-half of all victims were White (54 percent), one-quarter were African American (26 percent), and one-tenth (11 percent) were Hispanic. American Indian or Alaska Native children accounted for 2 percent of victims, and Asian-Pacific Islanders accounted for 1 percent of victims.

Children of all ages experience abuse and neglect, but the youngest children are most vulnerable. Children younger than 1 year old accounted for 41 percent of all abuse-related deaths reported in 2002; three-quarters (76 percent) of those killed were younger than 4.

Who reports child abuse and neglect?

In 2002, more than one-half (57 percent) of all reports made to CPS agencies came from professionals who came in contact with the child. Teachers (16 percent of all reports), legal, law enforcement, and criminal justice personnel (16 percent), social services workers (13 percent), and medical personnel (8 percent) were the most frequent sources of reports in 2002. Many people in these professions are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect.

However, many reports (44 percent) came from nonprofessional sources, such as parents, other relatives, friends, and neighbors. Anonymous reports accounted for 10 percent of all reports in 2002. It is important for everyone to know the signs that may indicate maltreatment and how to report it. We all share a responsibility to help keep children safe as we take steps to prevent abuse from occurring in the first place. (For more information about recognizing child abuse and neglect, see Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms on the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information website.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau. (2004). Child Maltreatment 2002. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Available online at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm02/index.htm or by calling the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information at (800) 394-3366. Statistics in Child Maltreatment 2002 refer to cases of harm to a child caused by parents or other caretakers; they do not include harm caused by other people, such as acquaintances or strangers.

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