About Child Abuse

• More than 800,000 children are  confirmed as victims of abuse or neglect each year in the U.S. 
• Neglect is the most common form of  child maltreatment, followed by physical abuse. 
• Younger children (ages 0-6) are the  most vulnerable to abuse. 
• 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. 95% of all victims know their  perpetrators. 
• 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. 

Child Abuse Information Gateway,  http://www.childwelfare.gov/