Child Abuse And Neglect: The National Scope of the Problem

Child Abuse and Neglect: The National Scope of the Problem

Abuse and neglect are associated with short- and long-term consequences that may include brain damage, developmental delays, learning disorders, problems forming relationships, aggressive behavior, and depression.

Survivors of child abuse and neglect may be at greater risk for problems later in life- such as low academic achievement, drug use, teen pregnancy, and criminal behavior- that affect not just child and family, but society as a whole.

In 2001, nearly three million reports concerning the welfare of approximately five million children were made. In approximately two-thirds (67 percent) of these cases, the information provided in the report was sufficient to prompt an investigation. As a result of these investigations, approximately 903,000 children were found to have been victims of abuse or neglect.

More than half (59 percent) of the victims experienced neglect, meaning a caretaker failed to provide for the child's basic needs. Fewer victims were found to have been physically abused (19 percent) or sexually abused (10 percent), though these cases are often more likely to be publicized. The smallest number (7 percent) were found to be victims of emotional abuse, which includes criticizing, rejecting, or refusing to nurture a child.

Boys and girls are almost equally likely to experience neglect and physical abuse. Children of all ages experience abuse, but the youngest children are the most vulnerable. Children younger than one year old accounted for 41 percent of child abuse and neglect deaths reported in 2001; 85 percent of the children who died were younger than six years of age.

By definition, perpetrators of child abuse and neglect are the very people responsible for their child's safety and well-being (including parents, other relatives, and babysitters).

Almost half of child victims (41 percent) were abused by just their mother, and one-fifth of victims (19 percent) were abused by both their mother and father.