National Child Abuse Awareness Month– Important Statistics

Did you know? 

The pinwheel represents healthy, happy childhoods, and is the official symbol of Child Abuse Prevention.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, an important time to increase awareness about child and family well-being. It also emphasizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. We stand with and advocate for all survivors and victims of abuse, including notably vulnerable demographics such as children. 

Research shows that the most significant risk to children doesn’t come from strangers but from friends and family. People who abuse children look and act just like everyone else. They often go out of their way to appear trustworthy, seeking out settings where they can access children easily, such as sports leagues, faith centers, clubs, and schools. According to the most recent annual report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published in 2022:

• A nationally estimated 3,016,000 children received either an investigation or alternative response to reports of child abuse at a rate of 40.7 children per 1,000
• States reported at least 588,229 victims of child abuse and neglect
• 76 percent of victims are neglected, 16% percent are physically abused, 10.1% percent are sexually abused, and 0.2% percent are sex trafficked
• 1,820 children died from abuse

As part of Child Abuse Prevention Month, we encourage you to connect with your community. Learn more about our free and confidential survivor support services through our Survivor Support Department by clicking here.