Facts About Child Abuse
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Report, The Third National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS-3) incidences of abuse and neglect have increased 98%. The first study, conducted in 1986, estimated 1,424,000 children were abuse and neglected in the U.S. Over a seven year span, the 1993 report estimated that 2,815,600 children... The chart below gives the percentage increases for each type of abuse.
| 1986 | 1993 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | 311,500 | Physical Abuse | 614,100 (97%) |
| Sexual Abuse | 133,600 | Sexual Abuse | 300,200 (125%) |
| Emotional Abuse | 188,100 | Emotional Abuse | 532,200 (183%) |
| Physical Neglect | 507,000 | Physical Neglect | 1,335,100 (163%) |
| Emotional Neglect | 203,00 | Emotional Neglect | 565,100 (188%) |
Other significant findings from the NIS-3 study are as follows:
- Girls were sexually abused three times more often than boys.
- Boys are at greater risk of emotional neglect and serious injury than girls.
- Children are consistently vulnerable to sexual abuse from age three and older.
2000 Statistics
National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) summary of key findings from the calendar year 2000:
- 879,000 children were found to be victims of maltreatment, which include neglect, medical neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological maltreatment.
- Approximately 1,200 children died of abuse or neglect in the year 2000.
Domestic Violence
- Children were more likely to be abused when they tried to intervene and stop the abuse of their mothers
- 3 to 10 million children witness domestic violence every year
- Children are present in an overwhelming majority of domestic violence 911 calls