Understanding the scope of child abuse is the first step toward protecting children and supporting survivors.

Every April, Child Abuse Prevention Month offers a critical opportunity to raise awareness, share resources, and recommit to the safety of children across the United States. At NCVC, we believe that knowledge is one of the most powerful tools for prevention — so this month, we’re breaking down the facts.

• 1 in 4 girls in the U.S. experience child sexual abuse.
• 1 in 20 boys in the U.S. experience child sexual abuse.
• About 90% of child sexual abuse is by someone known and trusted by the child.

These numbers, drawn from the CDC and the Administration for Children and Families, are sobering, and they likely undercount the true scope. Many young victims wait years to disclose abuse, and some never do.

Those statistics align with what our victim assistance specialists — the team members who work on our confidential 24/7 VictimConnect Resource Center hotline — see as well. From 2023-2025, VictimConnect received 1,533 inquiries related to child abuse, including physical abuse, violence being witnessed by kids, physical sexual abuse, and exposure to pornography or child sexual abuse images.

Who is most at risk?

Child abuse can happen in any family, community, or setting. However, children younger than 4 and those with special needs face a higher risk of abuse and neglect.

Children are never at fault for harm inflicted on them by abusive or neglectful caregivers and other adults.

The four types of child abuse and neglect

Child abuse takes many forms. Knowing what each type looks like — and what signs to watch for — can help communities respond before harm deepens.

Physical abuse

This is the intentional use of physical force against a child, including hitting, kicking, shaking, burning, or choking. Injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caregiver meant to cause harm.

Signs to watch for:

• Unexplained bruises, welts, or burns
• Injuries that don’t match the explanation given
• Flinching at sudden movements or touch
• Fear of going home or being around certain adults

Source: CDC; Mayo Clinic

Sexual abuse

This is any completed or attempted sexual act, contact, or exploitation involving a child. This includes both contact abuse and non-contact abuse, such as exposure to pornography or sexual harassment.

Signs to watch for:

• Sudden changes in behavior or mood
• Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge or behavior
• Withdrawal from friends, family, or usual activities
• Nightmares, bedwetting, or regression in younger children

Source: CDC; Mayo Clinic

Emotional abuse

This includes behaviors that harm a child’s self-worth or emotional well-being, such as name-calling, shaming, constant criticism, rejection, isolation, or withholding affection. All forms of abuse include some level of emotional harm.

Signs to watch for:

• Low self-esteem or negative self-talk
• Delayed emotional development or speech disorders
• Overly compliant behavior
• Lack of attachment to parents or caregivers

Source: CDC; Mayo Clinic; Arizona Department of Child Safety

Neglect

This is the failure to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs — including adequate food, shelter, clothing, education, medical care, and emotional responsiveness. Neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment.

Signs to watch for:

• Consistently poor hygiene or inappropriate dress for the weather
• Frequently hungry, tired, or without needed medications
• Regularly absent or late to school
• States there is no one at home to provide care

Source: CDC; NIH/StatPearls

If you notice these signs in a child you know, trust your instincts. You don’t need to be certain abuse is occurring to reach out for guidance. Mandated reporters — including teachers, healthcare providers, and social workers — are legally required to report suspected maltreatment.

The long shadow of abuse

The harm caused by child abuse doesn’t end when the abuse stops. Survivors carry physical and psychological trauma that can persist for years — and sometimes a lifetime. Research consistently links childhood abuse to elevated risks of:

• Future exposure to or involvement in violence
• Delayed brain development and cognitive difficulties
• Substance use disorders
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Learning difficulties and challenges in school

What caregivers can do

Caregivers play a central role in building environments where children feel safe, heard, and protected. Here are some steps that can make a difference:

• Set aside consistent, distraction-free time to play with children.
• Validate children’s feelings so they feel safe coming to you with hard experiences.
• Teach children online safety skills, including what to do if they encounter something that makes them uncomfortable.
• Seek support when parenting feels overwhelming — parenting courses, mental health services, and community programs are resources, not signs of failure.

Building community and asking for help are among the most powerful things a parent or guardian can do.

Help is available

NCVC’s VictimConnect Resource Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Survivors of any type of crime can call, text, or chat confidentially with a trauma-informed specialist. Online chat is available at victimconnect.org, and text/call support is at 24/7855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846). All inquiries are confidential.

This April — and every month — let’s stand together for children. Share this post, talk to your community, and know that support is always within reach.

Statistics sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Signs and definitions sourced from CDC, Mayo Clinic, NIH/StatPearls, and the Arizona Department of Child Safety. For more information, visit cdc.gov and acf.hhs.gov.