Information on Child Abuse & Child Maltreatment

According to the CDC, there are 4 main types of child abuse or maltreatment: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, & neglect.

• Children under the age of 4 are at greatest risk for severe injury and death from abuse.
• Contrary to popular belief, 56% of perpetrators of child maltreatment are women.
  
• The women, usually mothers, are typically younger than the abusive males, usually fathers.
• Abuse typically occurs in families with high stress levels: from drug/alcohol abuse, poverty, chronic health problems, and/or history of violence.
• In 2007, 1,760 children ages 0 to 17 died from abuse and neglect
• 76 percent or more deaths occurred among children younger than age 4
  

The Childhelp website also includes many alarming statistics concerning child abuse.

• Abused children are 25% more likely to experience teen pregnancy.
• One third of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse.
• Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime.
• Children who have been sexually abused are 2.5 times more likely develop alcohol abuse.
• Children who have been sexually abused are 3.8 times more likely develop drug addiction.
• Nearly 2/3’s of the people in treatment for drug abuse reported being abused as children.
• Child abuse occurs at every socio-economic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.
• Ninety percent of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way; 68% are abused by family members.

Signs of Child Abuse, according to Childhelp

Physical Signs of Child Abuse
1. Unexplained burns, cuts, bruises, or welts in the shape of an object
2. Bite marks
3. Anti-social behavior
4. Problems in school
5. Fear of adults

Emotional Signs of Child Abuse
1. Apathy
2. Depression
3. Hostility or stress
4. Lack of concentration
5. Eating disorders

Sexual Signs of Child Abuse
1. Inappropriate interest or knowledge of sexual acts
2. Nightmares and bed wetting
3. Drastic changes in appetite
4. Overcompliance or excessive aggression
5. Fear of a particular person or family member

Signs of Neglect
1. Unsuitable clothing for weather
2. Dirty or unbathed
3. Extreme hunger
4. Apparent lack of supervision