Characteristics of child maltreatment victims, 2009

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Working for Youth Justice and Safety

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Child Maltreatment

Q:	What is known about substantiated or indicated child maltreatment?
A:	In 2009, child protective services investigated nearly 2 million reports of maltreatment involving 3.6 million children- 22% of these reports were substantiated.

Estimated number of victims	763,000

Victimization rate*	10.1

Age
0 to 3	34%
4 to 7	23%
8 to 11	19%
12 to 15	18%
16 to 17	6%

Gender
Male	49%
Female	51%

Race/ethnicity
White	44%
Black	22%
Hispanic	21%
American Indian/Alaskan Native	1%
Asian/Pacific Islander	1%
Multiple race	3%
Unknown/missing	8%

Maltreatment type**
Neglect	62%
Physical abuse	14%
Sexual abuse	8%
Psychological maltreatment	6%
Medical neglect	2%
Other abuse	8%
Unknown/missing	<1%%

Notes: *Rate is per 1,000 children under 18 in the U.S. population. **The victimization count and rate are based on the number of maltreatments (each time a child was found to be a victim). Percentages are based on the unique count of child victims and should not be compared to prior years. This table is based on sample data reported by a varying number of states. Age and sex data were reported by 48 states; data on multiple race was reported by 43 states & D.C., data was reported in 46 states & D.C. for AI/AN and Asians, while 47 states & D.C. reported data on whites, blacks, and Hispanics; data on maltreatment type were reported by as few as five states (unknown type) to as many as 48 states, D.C. & Puerto Rico. (psychological and sexual abuse, and neglect).

[ Excel file ]

More than 3 of every 10 maltreatment victims in 2009 were infants or toddlers ages 0–3.
Females made up just over half (51%) of all maltreatment victims in 2009.
Nearly half of all victims were white (44%), more than one-fifth were black (22%) and similar proportion (21%) were Hispanic.
Neglect (62%) was the most common form of maltreament in 2009.
An estimated 1,770 children died as the result of maltreatment.

Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: http://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/victims/qa02102.asp?qaDate=2009. Released on May 06, 2011.

Data Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families. Child Maltreatment 2009. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2010.