The Facts:

Physical, emotional, sexual, and/or spiritual abuse are life-altering experiences, often affecting a victim for the rest of their lives. These Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) are no less traumatic or impactful to our physical bodies than other more physical forms of trauma—such as diabetes and other health-related issues. (Read more about ACEs Here.)

Always a Voice partners with other organizations throughout the country to educate people about the effects of domestic and child abuse. Silence is the greatest contributor to the perpetuation of abuse--of all forms. Together we can make a difference!

HERE ARE A FEW IMPORTANT STATISTICS:

• 44% of rapes with penetration occur to children under age 18.
• Victims younger than 12 accounted for 15% of those raped, and another 29% of rape victims were between 12 and 17.
• About 90% of children who are victims of sexual abuse know their abuser.
• Only 10% of sexually abused children are abused by a stranger.
• Approximately 30% of children who are sexually abused are abused by family members.
  (To see more statistics, click Here.)

FAST FACTS ON CHILD ABUSE:

• Four types of abuse are neglect and physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
• In some countries, using corporal punishment is regarded as child abuse.
• Signs of abuse can be hard to detect, but being withdrawn, passive, and overly compliant may be an indication.
• The person who is carrying out the abuse may also need help, for example, a stressed parent.
• Approximately 5 children die every day because of child abuse.[1]
• 1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 5 boys will be sexually abused before they reach age 18.[2]
• 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way. 68% are abused by a family member.[3]
• In 2012, 82.2% of child abuse perpetrators were found to be between the ages of 18-44, of which 39.6% were recorded to be between the ages of 25-34.[4]
• In the United States, more than 4 children die from child abuse and neglect on a daily basis. Over 70% of these children are below the age of 3.[5]
• Boys (48.5%) and girls (51.2%) become victims at nearly the same rate.[6]
• 2.9 million cases of child abuse are reported every year in the United States.[7]
• Children who experience child abuse and 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 violence crime.[8]
• About 80% of 21-year-olds who were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder.[9]
• 14% of all men and 36% of all women in prison were abused as children.[10]
• Abused children are less likely to practice safe sex, putting them at greater risk for STDs. They’re also 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.[11]
• Children who experience child abuse and neglect are about 9 times more likely to become involved in criminal activity.*

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“Child Sexual Abuse: What Parents Should Know” American Psychological Association. (February 19, 2014).

Department of Justice, National Sex Offender Public Website

Snyder, H. N. (2000). Sexual assault of young children as reported to law enforcement: Victim, incident, and offender 9 characteristics. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Source: David Finkelhor et al, A Sourcebook on Child Sexual Abuse, Newbury Park: Sage Publications.

National Crime Victimization Survey, Statistic calculated by staff at Crimes against Children Research Center. 2002.

Greenfeld, L.A. (1997). Sex Offenses and Offenders An Analysis of Data on Rape and Sexual Assault. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, NCJ-163392

Finkelhor, D. (2012). Characteristics of crimes against juveniles. Durham, NH: Crimes against Children Research Center.

Whealin, J. (2007-05-22). “Child Sexual Abuse”. National Center for Post – Traumatic Stress Disorder, US Department of Veterans A

CITES:

• ChildHelp. "Child Abuse Statistics and Facts." ChildHelp. Accessed March 3, 2015. . ↩︎
• The Advocacy Center. "The Facts About Youth Sexual Abuse." Accessed February 21, 2014, http://www.theadvocacycenter.org/adv_abuse.html. ↩︎
• U.S. Department of Justice. "Sexual Assault of Young Children as Reported to Law Enforcement: Victim, Incident, and Offender Characteristics." Bureau of Justice Statics. Accessed February 21, 2014, http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/saycrle.pdf. ↩︎
• Safe Horizon. "Child Abuse Facts." Accessed March 3, 2015. . ↩︎
• Safe Horizon. "Child Abuse & Incest." Accessed March 1, 2015. . ↩︎
• Safe Horizon. "Child Abuse Facts." Accessed March 1, 2015. . ↩︎
• Safe Horizon. "Child Abuse Facts." Accessed March 3, 2015. . ↩︎
• Safe Horizon. "Child Abuse Facts." Accessed March 3, 2015. . ↩︎
• Silverman, Amy B., Helen Z. Reinherz, and Rose M. Giaconia. "The Long-term Sequelae Of Child And Adolescent Abuse: A Longitudinal Community Study." Child Abuse & Neglect 20, no. 8 (1996): 709-723. . ↩︎
• U.S. Department of Justice. "Prior Abuse Reported by Inmates and Probationers." Bureau of Justice Statistics. Accessed February 21, 2014, http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/parip.pdf. ↩︎
• Sauer Children's Renew Foundation. "Facts about Child Abuse and Neglect." Accessed March 3, 2015. . ↩︎

*Foundation for Survivors of Abuse