Child abuse in the U.S. - perpetrators by relationship to victim 2020

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

Characteristic	Number of perpetrators
Parent	364,100
Relative	30,960
Unmarried partner of parent	17,768
Friend and neighbor	3,600
Legal guardian	1,558
Foster parent	1,423
Child daycare provider	1,397
Group home and residential facility staff	885
Other professional	889
Multiple relationships	19,723
Other	17,824
Unknown	11,653

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Release date

January 2022

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Region

United States

Survey time period

2020

Supplementary notes

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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