The Truth Behind Child Abuse

In the United States, more than 4 children die from child abuse and neglect on a daily basis. Over 70% of these children are below the age of 3. Boys (48.5%) and girls (51.2%) become victims at nearly the same rate. Every year, 2.9 million people report child abuse cases in the United States.

Every 9 minutes, CPS substantiates a claim of sexual abuse.

False reports of child molestation and rape are not the norm. National research shows that false rape reports range between 2-8%.

80% of perpetrators are parents to the victim.

Before the age of 18, one out of three girls and one out of five boys will be sexually abused.

Two-thirds of teachers do not receive specific training in preventing, recognizing, or responding to child sexual abuse in either their college coursework or as part of their professional development.

Researchers estimate that only 20% of children disclose the fact that they have been sexually abused before age 18.  Of these disclosures, the majority are to a friend or peer, not an authority figure.

Unfortunately, “friend-to-friend” disclosures do not always lead a person to report child abuse. This means that the vast majority of child sexual abuse incidents are never reported to authorities