Child Abuse Facts
In 2009, there were over 3 million reported cases of child abuse in the United States. The number of children who are abused each year is estimated to be at least twice this amount because so many cases of abuse are not reported.
- A child is abused every ten seconds
- Four children die everyday from abuse
- 1 in 4 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18
- 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18
- 90% of sexual abuse victims know their perpetrator
- 40% of sex offenders were sexually abused as a child
- 31% of women in prison were abused as children
- 14% of men in prison were abused as children
- 60% of people in drug rehab were abused or neglected as children
- 30% of abused children will later abuse their own children
- Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy
- Abused children are 59% more likely to be arrested as a teen
- Abused children are 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult
- Abused children are 30% more likely to commit a violent crime
- Children who are sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely to be an alcoholic and 3.8 times more likely to be a drug addict
- 80% of adults who were abused as children met the diagnosis criteria for a least one psychiatric disorder
- Every year 3.3 million kids are exposed to violent crimes against their mothers
- 50% of men who abuse their wives also abuse their children
- When a man abuses his wife, he is 6.51 times more likely to sexually abuse his daughters
- Male children who witness their father abusing their mother are more likely to be an abuser in adulthood
What Is Abuse?
Understand & Act
PHYSICAL ABUSE - Physical acts by parents or caregivers* that cause, or could have caused physical injury to the child. This includes but is not limited to severe beatings, burns, biting, strangulation, or scalding resulting in bruises, broken bones, scars, or internal injuries.
NEGLECT - Failure of parents or other caregiver, for reasons not solely due to poverty, to provide the child with needed, age-appropriate care, including food, clothing, shelter, protection from harm, supervision appropriate to the child's development, hygiene, education, and medical care.
SEXUAL ABUSE - When a person under the age of 18 is exploited for the sexual gratification of an older person*. This includes but is not limited to fondling of the child’s private parts; oral, vaginal or anal penetration by the offender; exposure of sexual parts by the offender; pornography or prostitution.
VERBAL ABUSE (also emotional or psychological abuse) Parental or other caregiver* acts or omissions, such as rejecting, terrorizing, berating, ignoring, or isolating a child, that cause or are likely to cause the child serious impairment of his or her physical, social, mental or emotional capacities.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - Behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control another person. These behaviors include but are not limited to physical harm, put-downs or name-calling, isolation from others, intimidation, or sexual assault.
WHEN CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IT CAUSES THEM TO LIVE IN FEAR. THESE CHILDREN EXHIBIT MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS AND BEHAVIORS CAUSED BY OTHER TYPES OF ABUSE.
*NOTE:
Physical, Sexual, and Verbal Abuse can also happen by someone other than a parent or caregiver. It may be a coach, teacher, Scout leader/volunteer, church leader/volunteer, neighbor, relative, or any person who harms another person – including peers, classmates, friends, and dating relationships.
OneTear Ministry for Abused Teens in Minnesota