About Child Abuse

During 2007, an estimated 794,000 children in the United States were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect.

• Among the victims, children in the age group of birth to one year had the highest rate of victimization.
• 51.5% of the victims were girls and 48.2% were boys;
• 59% of the victims suffered from neglect; 10.8% suffered from physical abuse; 7.6% suffered from sexual abuse and 4.2% were psychologically mistreated;
• About half of the victims of child abuse are white; 21.7% were African-American and 20.8% were Hispanic; and
• An estimated 1,760 children died due to child abuse or neglect.

One in three girls and one in five boys will be  sexually assaulted before they reach the age of 18. 

Perpetrators often consist of family members, friends, and acquaintances.

• 90% of all victims know their perpetrators;
• 39% of the victims were maltreated by the mother;
• 18% of the victims were maltreated by the father; and
• 17% of the victims were maltreated by both parents.

In South Carolina alone, it is estimated that in 2007 there were about 11,604 victims of abuse or neglect.

• 72.5% were male, and 27.5% female;
• 55.6% were White, 44.4% were African-American and Other;
• 61.8% were 0-5, 26.5% were 6-12, and 11.6% were 13-17;
• In 2009, 22 children died as a result of child abuse and neglect.

There are a large percentage of  children who do not disclose abuse until adulthood, if ever at all. 

Some consequences of child sexual abuse include fear, loneliness, self-blame, poor self-esteem, anger,  and mental health issues.  

Disclosure of child sexual  abuse is a process. It is estimated that only one in ten child victims  disclose abuse.   

More information on child abuse and child abuse resources.