In 2022, an average of 84 days passed between the reporting of child abuse and the initiation of services in Puerto Rico, making it the longest period of time between reporting abuse and initiation of services in the United States. The states with the shortest period between reporting abuse and initiation of services were Georgia and Wyoming, with an average of 13 days. The national average was 40 days in that year.
Average number of days to initiation of services for abused children in the United States in 2022, by state
Characteristic
Average number of days to initiation of services
Total average
40
Puerto Rico
84
Delaware
79
Kentucky
78
Nevada
66
Minnesota
63
New Hampshire
60
California
58
North Dakota
57
Nebraska
56
Oregon
56
Missouri
55
Kansas
51
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Average number of days to initiation of services4040848479797878666663636060585857575656565655555151515150505050494948484848464644444444444444444242414139393939393938383737353535353131313131312929292928282727252522222121141413131313Total averagePuerto RicoDelawareKentuckyNevadaMinnesotaNew HampshireCaliforniaNorth DakotaNebraskaOregonMissouriKansasWisonsinNew JerseyOklahomaDistrict of ColumbiaIllinoisMontanaAlaskaLouisianaMichiganTexasVermontOhioAlabamaArizonaArkansasSouth CarolinaVirginiaWest VirginiaRhode IslandWashingtonFloridaIndianaNew MexicoMainePennsylvaniaMississippiIdahoIowaColoradoHawaiiMassachusettsGeorgiaWyoming
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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.
There is no data available for Connecticut, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Utah.
Citation formats
Veera Korhonen
Research expert covering United States data for society
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US Department of Health and Human Services, & Administration for Children & Families. (January 29, 2024). Average number of days to initiation of services for abused children in the United States in 2022, by state [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 23, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/255097/average-number-of-days-to-initiation-of-services-for-abused-children-by-us-state/
US Department of Health and Human Services, und Administration for Children & Families. "Average number of days to initiation of services for abused children in the United States in 2022, by state." Chart. January 29, 2024. Statista. Accessed April 23, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/255097/average-number-of-days-to-initiation-of-services-for-abused-children-by-us-state/
US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families. (2024). Average number of days to initiation of services for abused children in the United States in 2022, by state. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 23, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/255097/average-number-of-days-to-initiation-of-services-for-abused-children-by-us-state/
US Department of Health and Human Services, and Administration for Children & Families. "Average Number of Days to Initiation of Services for Abused Children in The United States in 2022, by State." Statista, Statista Inc., 29 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/255097/average-number-of-days-to-initiation-of-services-for-abused-children-by-us-state/
US Department of Health and Human Services & Administration for Children & Families, Average number of days to initiation of services for abused children in the United States in 2022, by state Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/255097/average-number-of-days-to-initiation-of-services-for-abused-children-by-us-state/ (last visited April 23, 2025)
Average number of days to initiation of services for abused children in the United States in 2022, by state [Graph], US Department of Health and Human Services, & Administration for Children & Families, January 29, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/255097/average-number-of-days-to-initiation-of-services-for-abused-children-by-us-state/
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