In the United States, perpetrators of child abuse are more likely to be parents of the child, rather than a non-parent. In 2022, about 191,450 children in the United States were abused by their mother. Furthermore, 125,489 children were abused by their father in that year.
Number of child abuse victims in the United States in 2022, by perpetrator relationship
Relationship to child
Number of victims
Mother
191,450
Father
125,489
Two parents
98,538
Relative
29,919
Mother and Nonparent(s)
29,204
Unmarried partner of parent
19,196
Father and Nonparent(s)
5,397
Two parents and nonparent
4,019
Friend and neighbor
3,958
More than one nonparental perpetrator
2,318
Child daycare provider
2,091
Foster parent
1,754
Legal guardian
1,731
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Relationship to childNumber of victims191,450191,450125,489125,48998,53898,53829,91929,91929,20429,20419,19619,1965,3975,3974,0194,0193,9583,9582,3182,3182,0912,0911,7541,7541,7311,7311,2771,27792492461961917,48917,489MotherFatherTwo parentsRelativeMother and Nonparent(s)Unmarried partner of parentFather and Nonparent(s)Two parents and nonparentFriend and neighborMore than one nonparental perpetratorChild daycare providerFoster parentLegal guardianOther professionalGroup home and residential facility staffThree parentsOther
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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 29, 2024). Number of child abuse victims in the United States in 2022, by perpetrator relationship [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/254893/child-abuse-in-the-us-by-perpetrator-relationship/
US Department of Health and Human Services, und Administration for Children & Families. "Number of child abuse victims in the United States in 2022, by perpetrator relationship." Chart. January 29, 2024. Statista. Accessed February 20, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/254893/child-abuse-in-the-us-by-perpetrator-relationship/
US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families. (2024). Number of child abuse victims in the United States in 2022, by perpetrator relationship. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 20, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/254893/child-abuse-in-the-us-by-perpetrator-relationship/
US Department of Health and Human Services, and Administration for Children & Families. "Number of Child Abuse Victims in The United States in 2022, by Perpetrator Relationship." Statista, Statista Inc., 29 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/254893/child-abuse-in-the-us-by-perpetrator-relationship/
US Department of Health and Human Services & Administration for Children & Families, Number of child abuse victims in the United States in 2022, by perpetrator relationship Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/254893/child-abuse-in-the-us-by-perpetrator-relationship/ (last visited February 20, 2025)
Number of child abuse victims in the United States in 2022, by perpetrator relationship [Graph], US Department of Health and Human Services, & Administration for Children & Families, January 29, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/254893/child-abuse-in-the-us-by-perpetrator-relationship/
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