In 2022, there were 558,899 victims of child abuse in the United States. This is a decrease from the previous year, when there were 588,630 victims of child abuse, and is the lowest number of victims since 2012.
Total number of victims of child abuse in the United States from 2012 to 2022
Only reported cases are included.
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.
Data from previous years can be found here.
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Administration for Children & Families, & US Department of Health and Human Services. (January 29, 2024). Total number of victims of child abuse in the United States from 2012 to 2022 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/639375/number-of-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us/
Administration for Children & Families, und US Department of Health and Human Services. "Total number of victims of child abuse in the United States from 2012 to 2022." Chart. January 29, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/639375/number-of-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us/
Administration for Children & Families, US Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). Total number of victims of child abuse in the United States from 2012 to 2022. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/639375/number-of-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us/
Administration for Children & Families, and US Department of Health and Human Services. "Total Number of Victims of Child Abuse in The United States from 2012 to 2022." Statista, Statista Inc., 29 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/639375/number-of-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us/
Administration for Children & Families & US Department of Health and Human Services, Total number of victims of child abuse in the United States from 2012 to 2022 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/639375/number-of-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us/ (last visited December 30, 2024)
Total number of victims of child abuse in the United States from 2012 to 2022 [Graph], Administration for Children & Families, & US Department of Health and Human Services, January 29, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/639375/number-of-child-abuse-cases-in-the-us/
