Child abuse in the U.S. - victims by perpetrator relationship 2020

In the United States, perpetrators of child abuse are more likely to be parents of the child, rather than a non-parent. In 2020, about 221,372 children in the United States were abused by their mother. Furthermore, 138,803 children were abused by their father in that year.

Number of child abuse victims in the United States in 2020, by perpetrator relationship

Relationship to child	Number of victims
Mother	221,372
Father	138,803
Two parents	122,015
Mother and Nonparent(s)	37,064
Relative	32,037
Unmarried partner of parent	19,370
Father and Nonparent(s)	6,910
Two parents and nonparent	5,230
Friend and neighbor	3,961
More than one nonparental perpetrator	2,504
Child daycare provider	2,013
Foster parent	1,990
Legal guardian	1,726
Other professional	1,187
Group home and residential facility staff	1,080
Three parents	955
Other	18,966

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Release date

January 2022

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Region

United States

Survey time period

2020

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.

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