In the United States, most perpetrators of child abuse were related to the abused child. In 2021, around 338,747 perpetrators were a biological parent of their victim, and a further 30,033 perpetrators were a relative of the victim.
Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2021, by relationship to victim
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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.
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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 relationship to victim [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 09, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/418484/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-relationship-to-victim/
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 relationship to victim." Chart. February 9, 2023. Statista. Accessed April 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/418484/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-relationship-to-victim/
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 relationship to victim. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 09, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/418484/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-relationship-to-victim/
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 Relationship to Victim." Statista, Statista Inc., 9 Feb 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/418484/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-relationship-to-victim/
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 relationship to victim Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/418484/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-relationship-to-victim/ (last visited April 09, 2025)
Number of perpetrators in child abuse cases in the United States in 2021, by relationship to victim [Graph], US Department of Health and Human Services, & Administration for Children & Families, February 9, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/418484/number-of-perpetrators-in-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us-by-relationship-to-victim/
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