This brief by the US Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs provides an overview on child abuse.
This publication by the US Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs provides an overview on child abuse, including a definition of child abuse, ways to respond, and long-term effects. A child’s exposure to violence, crime and abuse can lead to serious consequences for their health and well-being that can last long into adulthood. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), there were 558,899 victims of child abuse and neglect across the United States in fiscal year (FY) 2022. Most victims of child abuse experienced neglect, accounting for 76% of all cases. Physical abuse was reported in 16% of cases, while sexual abuse was reported in 10.1% of cases. Additionally, 0.2% of cases involved sex trafficking. Girls were abused more often (8.7 per 1,000 girls in the population) than boys (7.5 per 1,000). April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.