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Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention
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Child maltreatment includes all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role (e.g., clergy, coach, teacher). There are four common types of maltreatment.
- Physical Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Emotional Abuse
- Neglect
CDC’s research and programs work to understand the problem of child abuse and neglect and prevent them before they begin.
Data & Statistics
- There were 683,000 victims of child abuse and neglect reported to child protective services (CPS) in 2015.
- The youngest children are the most vulnerable with about 24% of children in their first year of life experiencing victimization.
- CPS reports may underestimate the true occurrence of abuse and neglect. A non-CPS study estimated that 1 in 4 children experience some form of child abuse or neglect in their lifetimes.
- About 1,670 children died from abuse or neglect in 2015.
- The total lifetime cost of child abuse and neglect is estimated at $124 billion each year.
In The Spotlight
- CDC Releases Data from Global Violence Against Children Surveys (VACS)
- Children Benefit When Parents Have Safe, Stable, Nurturing Relationships [PDF 255KB]
- Essentials for Childhood
- Connecting the Dots: An Overview of the Links Among Multiple Forms of Violence [PDF 2.51MB]
- Economic Cost of Child Abuse
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study
- Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Suggested Practices for Journalists Reporting on Child Abuse and Neglect [PDF 2.65MB]
Technical Package
Additional Resources
Popular Publications & Articles
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OJJDP-CDC NatSCEV Bulletins
The National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV) is the largest, most comprehensive survey on youth victimization incidence and prevalence conducted in the United States. NatSCEV is a joint effort funded by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and carried out by the University of New Hampshire’s Crimes against Children Research Center. Research bulletins out of this partnership are available at the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) website -
Child Maltreatment: Facts at a Glance [PDF 113KB]
This data sheet provides up-to-date data and statistics on child abuse and neglect. - Child Maltreatment Surveillance Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements [PDF 200KB]
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Understanding Child Maltreatment [PDF 175KB]
This fact sheet provides a basic overview of child abuse and neglect. It is intended for the general public. - Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: Recommended Definitions for Public Health Surveillance and Research [PDF 8MB]
- Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Within Youth-serving Organizations [PDF 4MB]
- Page last reviewed: April 17, 2017
- Page last updated: April 17, 2017
- Content source: