Child Abuse Prevention
The impact of abuse is far greater than its immediate, visible effects. Abuse and neglect are associated with short- and long-term consequences that may include brain damage, developmental delays, learning disorders, problems forming relationships, aggressive behavior and depression.
Survivors of child abuse and neglect may be at greater risk for problems later in life - such as low academic achievement, drug use, teen pregnancy, and criminal behavior - that affect not just the child and family, but society as a whole.
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The National Scope
- In 2001, an average of 2,475 children were found to be victims of child abuse each day.
- Each week, child protective services (CPS) agencies throughout the United States receive more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect.
- In 2001, nearly three million reports concerning the welfare of approximately five million children were made.
- In approximately two-thirds (67 percent) of these cases, the information provided in the report was sufficient to prompt an investigation. As a result of these investigations, approximately 903,000 children were found to have been victims of abuse or neglect.
- More than half (59 percent) of victims experienced neglect, meaning a caretaker failed to provide for the child's basic needs. Fewer victims were found to have been physically abused (19 percent) or sexually abused (10 percent), though these cases are often 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.
- Tragically, an average of three children die every day as a result of child abuse or neglect.
- At least four out of five victims are abused by at least one parent.
- Almost half of child victims (41 percent) were abused by just their mother, and one-fifth of victims (19 percent) were abused by both their mother and father.