Infants and toddlers are the age group most likely to suffer abuse and neglect, accounting for more than a quarter of all incidents that are formally substantiated. By far, the most prevalent form of maltreatment is neglect, defined as “the absence of sufficient attention, responsiveness, and protection that are appropriate to the ages and needs of a child.” Child maltreatment is influenced by a number of factors, including inadequate access to education about child development, substance abuse, other forms of domestic violence, and mental illness. Although maltreatment occurs in families at all economic levels, abuse—and especially neglect—are more common in economically disadvantaged families than in families with higher incomes. Note that the data source for this indicator is reports that are substantiated by the child welfare agency or a court, not actual prevalence of maltreatment.
The numerator is the number of unique maltreatment victims under 1, age 1, and age 2 as reported in the Child Maltreatment 2020 report. The denominator is the total number of children under 1, age 1, and age 2 in 2020, according to the Child Maltreatment 2020 report.
Use caution when comparing this indicator across states, as states’ child welfare systems vary significantly.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families. (2018). Child maltreatment 2016. U.S. Government Printing Office. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/child-maltreatment-2016
National Center on the Developing Child. (2012). The science of neglect: The persistent absence of responsive care disrupts the developing brain [Working Paper 12]. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/The-Science-of-Neglect-The-Persistent-Absence-of-Responsive-Care-Disrupts-the-Developing-Brain.pdf. Slack, K. S., Holl, J. L., McDaniel, M., Yoo, J., & Bolger, K. (2004). Understanding the risks of child neglect: An exploration of poverty and parenting characteristics. Child Maltreatment, 9(4), 395-408. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559504269193
Sources:
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau. (2022). Child Maltreatment 2020. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/data-research/child-maltreatment