OVC

HELP SERIES

for Crime Victims

What Adults Need To Know 

About Child Abuse

The Facts About 

Child Abuse

Child abuse isn’t something that only happens to 

little children: 32 percent of 14- to 17-year-olds 

in the United States are abused or neglected 

in their lifetimes, and 28 percent are sexually 

victimized.1

During 2009, 763,000 children in the United 

States were victims of maltreatment. Of these, 

62 percent were victims of neglect, 14 percent 

were physically abused, 8 percent were sexually abused, and 6 percent were psychologically maltreated.2

Fifty-one percent of child abuse or neglect 

victims were girls and 49 percent were boys.3

During 2009, approximately 1,770 children 

ages 1 to 17 died as a result of maltreatment. 

Infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) accounted for 80 percent of these child fatalities.4

In 2009, approximately 81 percent of child 

abusers were parents. Other relatives accounted for an additional 4.5 percent, and 

unmarried partners of parents accounted for 

2.5 percent.5

Resources for Information 

and Assistance

ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline 

Crisis counselors are available to talk 

24 hours/day. 

1–800–4–A–CHILD or 1–800–422–4453 

www.childhelp.org

National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual 

Abuse and Exploitation 

This Web site provides information about organizations nationwide that are working together to 

prevent child abuse. 

www.preventtogether.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline 

Advocates are available 24 hours/day to provide 

resources and support. 

1–800–799–SAFE 

www.thehotline.org

National Sexual Assault Hotline 

This 24-hour online hotline provides free and 

confidential support to survivors of sexual assault 

and their family and friends. 

www.rainn.org

This product was developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime under 

an agreement with ICF International in support of the Office for Victims 

of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center under contract number 

GS–23F–8182H/OJP–2006F_124. The opinions, findings, and conclusions 

or recommendations expressed in this product are those of the authors and do 

not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department 

of Justice.

Endnotes

1

D. Finkelhor et al., 2009, “Violence, Abuse, and Crime 

Exposure in a National Sample of Children and Youth,” 

Pediatrics 124(5).

2

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, “Statistical Briefing Book,” http://www.ojjdp.gov/ 

ojstatbb/victims/qa02102.asp?qaDate=2009.

3

Ibid., calculations.

4

Ibid

5

Ibid
What Is Child Abuse?

Child abuse can be physical, sexual, or emotional. 

Neglect—the failure to provide for a child’s basic 

physical and emotional needs—is also a form of child 

abuse. In homes where child abuse occurs, fear, instability, and confusion may replace the love, comfort, 

and nurturing that children need. Although child abuse 

may not always lead to serious physical injury, it often 

results in serious emotional harm and may have longlasting effects.

As an adult you may encounter a child who has been 

hurt by abuse. Regardless of your role in that child’s 

life—parent, teacher, coach, neighbor, family member—you can help. Children who have experienced 

abuse need caring adults to help them recognize it’s 

not their fault, to provide support, and to help them 

grow into healthy adults. Whether it’s helping to protect a child or helping a child to heal and thrive, you 

can make a difference in a child’s life. 

What Should You Know 

About Child Abuse?

Child abuse is seldom a single event. It usually occurs 

with regularity, often increasing in severity and in conjunction with other types of abuse and neglect. Child 

abuse happens in every community, rural and urban, 

and crosses all boundaries of economics, race, ethnic 

heritage, and religious faith. Most often the abuser has 

a close relationship with the child (such as a parent, 

stepparent, or other caregiver). However, abuse by 

strangers does occur. 

Abused children may live in constant fear of harm. 

They may feel guilty for loving the abuser or blame 

themselves for causing the violence. In addition to 

suffering direct physical injuries from the abuse, child 

victims may also develop physical illnesses, eating 

disorders, sleep disturbances, speech disorders, or 

developmental lags in their motor skills. They may 

become self-destructive. 

The impact on children may not be noticeable for 

some time and may surface at various points throughout a child’s life. For instance, children from violent 

homes are at higher risk for alcohol or drug abuse and 

juvenile delinquency. 

Abuse affects children differently, based on a number 

of factors, including the nature of the abuse, the age 

of the child, the relationship between the child and the 

abuser, and the child’s environment. It’s also important 

to know that help exists—for children and their families 

and friends.

What Are the Signs of Child 

Abuse and Neglect?

In younger children— 

•	 Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or other injuries.

•	 Poor personal hygiene and clothing that is ill-fitting,

dirty, or inappropriate to the weather. 

•	 Reluctance or fear of going home, and excessive

fear or anxiety about doing something wrong. 

•	 Extreme behaviors, such as being unusually passive

or aggressive.

•	 Acting either inappropriately adult (taking care of

other children) or inappropriately infantile (rocking, 

thumb-sucking, tantrums). 

•	 Displaying more knowledge or interest in sexual

acts than is normal, including acting out sexually 

explicit behavior. 

•	 Often late or absent from school.

In older youth—

•	 Changes in eating or sleeping habits.

•	 Aggressive or inappropriate behavior.

•	 Depression, anxiety, or mood swings.

•	 Attention-seeking behavior.

•	 Increased risk-taking.

•	 Difficulty concentrating.

•	 Declining school performance or absences.

•	 Withdrawal from friends.

•	 Physical distress (e.g., recurring headaches or

stomachaches). 

•	 Running away.

•	 Sexual promiscuity.

How Do I Respond to a Child 

Who Has Been Abused?

If a child tells you that he or she has been abused, one 

of the most important things you can do is stay calm. 

You should also—

•	 Listen to the child’s words and expressed emotions.

Believe the child and stress that his or her safety is 

important. 

•	 Not press the child for more information.

•	 Reassure the child that he or she has done nothing

wrong. Abuse is never a child’s fault.

•	 Remember that the people who harm children are

often people whom children love. 

•	 Avoid negative comments. Encourage the child,

saying that he or she did the right thing by telling 

and that it was brave to tell.

You may not feel confident about discussing this sensitive subject with children, especially if you have never 

done so. Please see Tips for Talking to Children About 

Child Abuse for age-appropriate language to help you 

respond to children’s commonly asked questions about 

abuse and neglect.

What Else Can I Do To Help?

If you suspect that a child is the victim of abuse or 

neglect, report your suspicions to your local child protective services agency. These professionals work to 

ensure that children are safe and, whenever possible, 

try to keep families together. If you think the child may 

be in immediate danger, call your local emergency 

number (usually 911) or your local law enforcement 

agency. Even though you may be reluctant to get 

involved, you may be the only person in a position to 

help a child who is being abused. 

If you are a “mandated reporter”—a person in a profession such as a social worker, teacher, or child care 

provider—you are required by law to report suspected 

abuse. Laws about reporting suspected child abuse 

vary from state to state. For more information about 

laws and reporting procedures in your state, visit the 

Child Welfare Information Gateway Web site, hosted 

by the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services, at www.

childwelfare.gov/responding/mandated.cfm.