Child abuse rate in the U.S. - victims by age 2021

In 2021, the child abuse rate for children aged less than one year stood at 25.3, indicating that 25.3 out of every 1,000 newborn children in the United States were victims of child maltreatment. This was the highest rate of child abuse among all age groups in that year.

Child abuse rate in the United States in 2021, by age of the victim (per 1,000 children)

Age in years	Rate per 1,000 children
Less than a year	25.3
1	10.7
2	9.8
3	9.1
4	8.6
5	8.5
6	8.1
7	7.7
8	7.3
9	6.9
10	6.8
11	6.7
12	6.8
13	6.6
14	6.3
15	5.8
16	5
17	3.3

Loading statistic...

Download

Source

Show detailed source information?

Already a member?

Sources

Use Ask Statista Research Service

Release date

February 2023

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

2021

Supplementary notes

Based on State submissions to National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) of alleged child abuse and neglect. NCANDS collects case level data on children who received child protective services response in the form of an investigative or alternative response. Each state has its own definition of child abuse and neglect based on standards set by federal law. Child abuse is defined as any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk or serious harm.

Citation formats