Child abuse in the United States - statistics & facts
Child abuse comes in several different forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and psychological abuse. Common signs of child abuse include unexplained bruises, overly aggressive behavior, lack of necessities, and drastic changes in behavioral and eating habits. Unfortunately, child abuse remains prevalent throughout the world, including in the United States. In 2023, there were 546,159 reported cases of child abuse in the U.S., with the most common form of maltreatment being neglect, followed by physical abuse and sexual abuse.
The number of child fatalities due to abuse or maltreatment has remained relatively steady since 2007, and in 2023, there were 1,968 deaths from child abuse or maltreatment and about 5.39 children who died each day as a result of abuse and neglect. A victim may be abused multiple times by the same perpetrator or a combination of them. Most child abuse victims in the U.S. were abused by their mothers, fathers, or a combination of both. Children may also be at greater risk of child abuse if their caregivers abuse drugs or alcohol.
The demographics of child abuse
Although child abuse happens across all races and genders, studies have shown that American Indian or Alaska Native children and Black or African American children had the highest rates of child abuse in the United States in 2023, respectively. More girls were also abused than boys in that year; however, boys were more likely to die as a result of abuse or maltreatment. Young children make up the majority of child abuse cases in the U.S., with the most common age of abuse victims being two to five years old. Most child fatalities from abuse are also among children less than one year old.The number of child fatalities due to abuse or maltreatment has remained relatively steady since 2007, and in 2023, there were 1,968 deaths from child abuse or maltreatment and about 5.39 children who died each day as a result of abuse and neglect. A victim may be abused multiple times by the same perpetrator or a combination of them. Most child abuse victims in the U.S. were abused by their mothers, fathers, or a combination of both. Children may also be at greater risk of child abuse if their caregivers abuse drugs or alcohol.
