In 2021, most perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States were between the ages of 25 and 34 years old, with 182,800 perpetrators. In that same year, about 1,239 perpetrators were 75 years and older, and about 8,083 perpetrators of child abuse were of unknown age.
Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2021, by age
Age
Number of perpetrators
6 - 11 years
651
12 - 17 years
7,753
18 - 24 years
63,656
25 - 34 years
182,800
35 - 44 years
124,929
45 - 54 years
38,558
55 - 64 years
14,416
65 - 74 years
4,513
75 and older
1,239
Unknown
8,083
050,000100,000150,000200,000250,000
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A perpetrator is defined as a person who was determined to have caused or knowingly allowed the maltreatment of a child.
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.
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. (February 9, 2023). Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2021, by age [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/418394/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-age/
US Department of Health and Human Services, und Administration for Children & Families. "Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2021, by age." Chart. February 9, 2023. Statista. Accessed April 29, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/418394/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-age/
US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families. (2023). Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2021, by age. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 29, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/418394/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-age/
US Department of Health and Human Services, and Administration for Children & Families. "Number of Perpetrators in Child Abuse Cases in The United States in 2021, by Age." Statista, Statista Inc., 9 Feb 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/418394/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-age/
US Department of Health and Human Services & Administration for Children & Families, Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2021, by age Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/418394/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-age/ (last visited April 29, 2025)
Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2021, by age [Graph], US Department of Health and Human Services, & Administration for Children & Families, February 9, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/418394/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-age/
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