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
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 December 30, 2024, 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 December 30, 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. (2024). Number of child abuse victims in the United States in 2022, by perpetrator relationship. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 30, 2024. 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 December 30, 2024)
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/