Facts about Child Abuse:
- Approximately 5 children die every day because of child abuse.
- 1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 5 boys will be sexually abused before they reach age 18.
- 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way. 68% are abused by a family member.
- Most children become victims of abuse and neglect at 18 months or younger.
- In 2010, 1,537 children died of abuse or neglect. 79.4% were under the age of 4 and 47.7% were under the age of 1.
- Boys (48.5%) and girls (51.2%) become victims at nearly the same rate.
- 3.6 million cases of child abuse are reported every year in the U.S.
- Abused and neglected children are 11 times more likely to engage in criminal behavior as an adult.
- About 80% of 21-year-olds who were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.
- 14% of all men and 36% of all women in prison were abused as children.
- Abused children are less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs. They’re also 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.
- For every incident of child abuse or neglect that’s reported, an estimated two incidents go unreported.
- Child abuse occurs across all socioeconomic levels, ethnic and cultural lines, and religions and education levels.
- Neglect, the most widespread form of child abuse, makes up more than 59% of abuse cases.
