NATIONAL CHILDRENS ALLIANCE

STATISTICAL FACT SHEET

In 2012, an estimated 1,640 children died from abuse and neglect in the United States.
1

In the same year, Childrens Advocacy Centers around the country served over 286,000
child victims of abuse, providing victim advocacy and support
to these children and their families. In 2013, this number was over 294,000.
2


2012 NATIONAL ABUSE STATISTICS
2

An estimated 686,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect (unique instances).
51 states reported approximately 3.8 million children received preventative services from
Child Protective Services agencies in the United States.
Children younger than one year had the highest rate of victimization of 21.9 per 1,000
children in the national population of the same age.
Of the children who experienced maltreatment or abuse, over 75% suffered neglect;
more than 15% suffered physical abuse; and just under 10% suffered sexual abuse.
Approximately 80% of reported child fatalities as a result of abuse and neglect were
caused by one or more of the child victims parents.
2013 CHILDRENS ADVOCACY CENTER STATISTICS
2

Among the over 294,000 children served by Childrens Advocacy Centers around the
country in 2013, some startling statistics include:
! 113,487 children were ages 0 to 6 years
! 105,926 children were ages 7 to 12 years
! 74,137 children were ages 13 to 18 years
! 202,265 children reported sexual abuse
! 55,246 children reported physical abuse
! 200,225 children participated in on-site forensic interviewing at a
Childrens Advocacy Center
Among the over 231,000 alleged offenders investigated for instances of child
abuse in 2013, some startling statistics include:
! 149,661 were 18+ years old
! 26,253 were ages 13 to 17 years
! 19,762 were under age 13 years
! 88,226 were a parent or step-parent of the victim
! 126,552 were related or known to the child victim in another way
! 22,672 were an unrelated person the victim knew

"
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Administration for Children & Families. Child
Maltreatment 2012. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/cm2012.pdf
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National Childrens Alliance 2012 and 2013 national statistics collected from Childrens Advocacy
Center members.