About Child Abuse in the U.S.

About Child Abuse in the U.S.
There are nearly 3 million child abuse cases REPORTED each year. Experts say the actual number is closer to 9 million, since most go unreported. This puts child abuse at epidemic proportions in this country. Each day nearly 4 children die from child abuse. Child abuse costs the U.S. economy $250 Million dollars a DAY. It's time we do something.

You occasionally catch a heartbreaking story on the news but there are so many abused children who suffer silently with no hope. It is time that we stop waiting for these cases to go to the extreme before these kids get help. That quiet child in class or the troubled teen you write off as a problem child might actually be victims. Imagine feeling unprotected, unloved and unsafe.

Not sure you can make a difference? You can. There are so many causes out there that are worthy of our time, money and attention. Don’t our children deserve to be one of them? You can help us fight for these kids.

Feel proud that you are helping to keep America's children safe. Every day we see kids neglected, abandoned, and abused. Too often we do nothing! Take pride in yourself and put aside your fear, outrage and discomfort . BE A VOICE FOR THE CHILDREN.

Our goals are to educate people to recognize child abuse, work with lawmakers, help victims and prevent abuse by working with families. There are so many ways you can help us – distribute materials, volunteer with our group or donate.

Child Abuse Prevention and Education Organizations

CASA [Only admins are allowed to see this link]
National Exchange Club Foundation [Only admins are allowed to see this link]
Childhelp [Only admins are allowed to see this link]
The Shaken Baby Alliance [Only admins are allowed to see this link]

Child abuse is a major social problem; every child has the right to be free of physical and emotional harm. Child abuse is causing or failing to prevent actions against children that can result in serious physical or emotional harm, including sexual abuse and even death. This also includes neglect or placing a child at risk of serious harm, even if no injury results. Some forms of physical abuse include locking kids in closets, tying them to a bed, making them stand for long periods of time, or leaving them home alone. A child's right to freedom from abuse is balanced with the right of parents to discipline their children without government interference.

Child sexual abuse not only includes rape and improper touching, but also other actions such as a person exposing his or her private parts to a child or giving a child sexually explicit or pornographic material. Even if the child is not physically touched or harmed, these are still crimes of sexual abuse.

While sexual abuse is the least common form of child abuse, the most common is neglect. Neglect can lead to both physical and emotional harm. It is difficult to define neglect, because parents in poverty situations cannot provide as much care as those with higher incomes. Improper healthcare or not providing an education can also qualify as criminal neglect. Emotional abuse comes from exposure to domestic violence, drug use, dirty homes, and inadequate clothing.

Emotional Abuse
Examples include but are not limited to: name-calling, belittling, yelling, screaming, threatening, not being
emotionally available to a child, ignoring a child, extreme punishment for even minor infractions,
isolation of child, etc.



Physical Abuse
Examples include but are not limited to: hitting, kicking, punching, slapping, biting, shaking, pulling hair,
bruising, cutting, burning, etc.



Sexual Abuse
Any sexual act involving a child including but not limited to: fondling, intercourse, pornography, oral sex
acts, prostitution, etc.



Neglect
A pattern of failure to provide for a child's basic human needs including but not limited to: inadequate food,
hygiene or shelter, disregard for a child's safety, leaving a child unattended, inadequate nurturing or
affection, failure to ensure a child receives education, permitting a child to use alcohol or recreational drugs,
delay or refusal to provide necessary medical care, etc.

Contact your legislator-
[Only admins are allowed to see this link]

Legal issues for children-U.S.A
[Only admins are allowed to see this link]

Current Legislations
[Only admins are allowed to see this link]

A.H.S.-Protect our children
[Only admins are allowed to see this link]


Child Abuse Statistics in the USA

An estimated 906,000 children are victims of abuse & neglect every year. The rate of victimization is 12.3 children per 1,000 children
Children ages 0-3 are the most likely to experience abuse. About 1 in 50 U.S. infants are victims of nonfatal child abuse or neglect in a year, according to the first national study of the problem in that age group done by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention along with The Federal Administration for Children and Families.

1,500 children die every year from child abuse and neglect. That is just over 4 fatalities every day.
79% of the children killed are younger than 4.

What can be done?
Treatment, Prevention and Research are key. Childhelp, one of the largest and oldest national, non-profit organizations dedicated to treatment and prevention of child abuse, provides a broad continuum of programs that directly serve abused children and their families. Childhelp also leads public awareness campaigns to educate the public and rally communities behind the child abuse.

What can I do?
By supporting Childhelp, you are playing a direct role in the treatment and prevention of child abuse. Your donations, purchases from the Childhelp store and the Gift of Hope gift catalogue, and time spent volunteering help a dedicated and passionate staff carry out Childhelp's mission of meeting the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children.

Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect in USA
80% of young adults who had been abused met the diagnostic criteria for at least 1 psychiatric disorder at the age of 21 (including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, & post-traumatic stress disorder)
Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy
Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime.
14.4% of all men in prison in the United States were abused as children and 36.7% of all women in prison were abused as children
Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely develop alcohol abuse
Children who have been sexually abused are 3.8 times more likely develop drug addictions
Nearly 2/3’s of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused as children.

Cycle of Abuse in USA

1/3 of abused and neglected children will eventually victimize their own children

Additional Statistics on Child Abuse in USA

There are nearly 3 million reports of child abuse made annually
In 2003, there were 906,000 child abuse convictions
The rate of child abuse is estimated to be 3 times greater than is reported.
The rate of victimization is 12.3 children per 1,000 children
Children ages 0-3 are the most likely to experience abuse. They are victimized at a rate of 16.4 per 1,000
79% of the children killed are younger than 4.
These statistics are from the Administration for Children & Families of the US Department of Health & Human Services “Child Maltreatment Report 2003”
Consequences of Child Abuse in the USA

80% of young adults who had been abused met the diagnostic criteria for at least 1 psychiatric disorder at the age of 21 (including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, & post-traumatic stress disorder)
Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy
Abused teens are 3 times less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs
These statistics are from the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse & Neglect Information. Long-term Consequences of Child Abuse & Neglect 2005

The Link Between Abuse As a Child & Future Criminal Behavior

14.4% of all men in prison in the USA were abused as children
36.7% of all women in prison were abused as children
Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime.

These statistics are compiled from US Department of Justice Reports

The Link Between Child Abuse & Substance Abuse
Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely develop alcohol abuse
Children who have been sexually abused are 3.8 times more likely develop drug addictions
Nearly 2/3’s of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused as children
These statistics are compiled from the National Institute on Drug Abuse 2000 Report & Child Abuse & Neglect Study by Arthur Becker-Weidman PhD