In 2020, there were 618,399 victims of child abuse in the United States. This is a decrease from the previous year, when there were 656,251 victims of child abuse, and is the lowest number of victims since 2012.
Total number of victims of child abuse in the United States from 2012 to 2020
Only reported cases are included.
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.
Data from previous years can be found here.
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Administration for Children & Families, & US Department of Health and Human Services. (January 19, 2022). Total number of victims of child abuse in the United States from 2012 to 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 18, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/639375/number-of-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us/
Administration for Children & Families, und US Department of Health and Human Services. "Total number of victims of child abuse in the United States from 2012 to 2020." Chart. January 19, 2022. Statista. Accessed May 18, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/639375/number-of-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us/
Administration for Children & Families, US Department of Health and Human Services. (2022). Total number of victims of child abuse in the United States from 2012 to 2020. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 18, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/639375/number-of-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us/
Administration for Children & Families, and US Department of Health and Human Services. "Total Number of Victims of Child Abuse in The United States from 2012 to 2020." Statista, Statista Inc., 19 Jan 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/639375/number-of-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us/
Administration for Children & Families & US Department of Health and Human Services, Total number of victims of child abuse in the United States from 2012 to 2020 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/639375/number-of-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us/ (last visited May 18, 2022)
