Child Maltreatment Prevention
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 abuse:
- Physical Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Emotional Abuse
- Neglect
CDC's research and programs work to understand the problem of child maltreatment and prevent it before it begins.
Data & Statistics
- The total lifetime cost of child maltreatment is $124 billion each year.1
- More than 3 million referrals of child maltreatment are received by state and local agencies each year—that's nearly 6 referrals every minute.2
Popular Publications & Articles
- Child Maltreatment: Facts at a Glance
This fact sheet proves up-to-date data and statistics on child maltreatment. - Child Maltreatment Surveillance
Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements - Preventing Child Maltreatment: Program Activities Guide
- Understanding Child Maltreatment This fact sheet provides a basic overview of child maltreatment. It is intended for the general public.
- Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: Recommended Definitions for Public Health Surveillance and Research
- Preventing Child Abuse Within Youth-serving Organizations
References
- Fang X, Brown DS, Florence C, Mercy J. The economic burden of child maltreatment in the United States and implications for prevention. Child Abuse and Neglect. January 2012.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau. (2012) Child Maltreatment 2011. [accessed 2013 May 22]. Available from: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/resource/child-maltreatment-2011
Get email updates
To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address:
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC)
4770 Buford Hwy, NE
MS F-63
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
New Hours of Operation:
8am-8pm ET/
Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - Contact CDC-INFO
