In the United States, most perpetrators of child abuse were related to the abused child. In 2020, around 364,100 perpetrators were a biological parent of their victim, and a further 30,960 perpetrators were a relative of the victim.
Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2020, by relationship to victim
A perpetrator is defined as a person who was determined to have caused or knowingly allowed the maltreatment of a child.
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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US Department of Health and Human Services, & Administration for Children & Families. (January 19, 2022). Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2020, by relationship to victim [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/418484/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-relationship-to-victim/
US Department of Health and Human Services, und Administration for Children & Families. "Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2020, by relationship to victim." Chart. January 19, 2022. Statista. Accessed May 26, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/418484/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-relationship-to-victim/
US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families. (2022). Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2020, by relationship to victim. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 26, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/418484/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-relationship-to-victim/
US Department of Health and Human Services, and Administration for Children & Families. "Number of Perpetrators in Child Abuse Cases in The United States in 2020, by Relationship to Victim." Statista, Statista Inc., 19 Jan 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/418484/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-relationship-to-victim/
US Department of Health and Human Services & Administration for Children & Families, Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2020, by relationship to victim Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/418484/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-relationship-to-victim/ (last visited May 26, 2022)
