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April 11, 2021

John Fisher, Professor

San Juan College
4601 College Blvd
Farmington, NM 87402

Dear Professor Fisher,

I am submitting the attached Infographics that Matter Report entitled Child Abuse in America that I was
assigned to complete February 21,2021.

This report in an informative summary on child abuse in America. The report will explore the types of
abuse children have reported suffering and the age of which the abuse occurred. The effects of such
abuse will also be discussed.

I hope that I have met the expectations for this informative infographic report. If there are any question,
comments, or concerns please feel free to contact me at scooley41@my.sanjuancollege.edu.

Sincerely,

Samantha Cooley, Student

San Juan College
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Infographics that Matter:

Child Abuse in America

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Child Abuse in America

submitted to

Johnathan Fisher
San Juan College
Farmington, New Mexico

April 1, 2021

by
Samantha M. Cooley

This report displays a significant issue in America: Child Abuse. It begins by introducing the different
types of abuse children suffered as reported to the National Children’s Alliance from Child Advocacy
Centers. This section highlights the fact that abused children are likely a victim of multiple types of
abuse, simultaneously. Next the report examines the age of which children reported being at the time of
their abuse as reported by the American Society for the Positive Care of Children. This section shows
that abuse is twice as likely to occur within the first year of life than that of any other age. The final
section describes information provided from Child Trends about documented effects child abuse has on
a victim, including their mental, physical, and emotional state later in life. This section also describes
other long-term effects abuse may have on a child later in life such as impaired cognition, brain
development, and relationships. This report shines a light on a critical issue in our country.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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COVER LETTER…………………….…………………….…………………….………………………….……………………i
COVER PAGE…………………….…………………….…………………….…………………….………….………………..ii
ABSTRACT…………………….…………………….…………………….…………………….………………………….…… iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS …………………….…………………….…………………….…………………….………………iv
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES.…………………….…………………….…………………….……………………….v
1.0. INTRODUCTION…………………….…………………….…………………….……..…………….…………….... 1
2.0 NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE STATISTICS FROM NATIONAL CHILDREN’S ALLIANCE (NCA)……. …… 2
2.1 Summary……..…………………….…………………….…………………….………………………….……… 2
2.2 Interpretation..…………………….…………………….…………………….………………………….…….3
3.0 NUMBER OF CASES OF CHILD ABUSE IN THE UNITED STATES IN 2019 BY AGE…….…… 4
3.1 Summary…………………….…………………….…………………….…………………….…………..……… 5
3.2 Interpretation…………………….…………………….…………………….………………………….………5
4.0 IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA…………………….…………………….…………………….…….……. 6
4.1 Summary…………………………………….…………………….…………………….…………………………6
4.2 Interpretation…………………….…………………….…………………….………………………………….7
CONCLUSION.…………………….…………………….…………………….…………………….………………………….8
REFERENCES…...……………………….…………………….…………………….………………………….…………..….9

List of Figures
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Figure 1. National Child Abuse Statistics from National Children’s Alliance (NCA)………………………………….. 2

Figure 2. Number of Cases of Child Abuse in the United States in 2019 by Age..……………………………………. 4

Figure 3. Impact of Childhood Trauma…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6

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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose

This report examines child abuse in America by gathering various data figures from recent years. This
report is an informative collection from multiple sources and is the beginning step to understanding that
there is a direct correlation between child abuse and lifelong behavior. Trauma Informed Care depends
on studies as such to improve effectiveness in helping children overcome the aftermath of their abuse.

1.2 Background

The National Child’s Alliance website states, “It is estimated that nearly 700,000 children are abused in
the U.S each year (National child abuse statistics from NCA 2021).” As a result of childhood trauma,
children are more likely to struggle with their behavior, emotions, and relationships among many other
aspects throughout life. By understanding the impact of child abuse, we can better equip ourselves in
providing Trauma Informed Care.
1.3 Scope

This report includes the different types of abuse children have reported in America in recent years and
the ages at which children reported being during the abuse. The report also includes direct impacts
abuse may have on a child. The information provided will assist the reader to better understand how
often children report abuse in America and how their lives are impacted by the abuse. I chose to focus
on these areas to improve Trauma Informed Care.
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2.0 National Child Abuse Statistics from National Children’s Alliance (NCA)
The first data figure provided below was published on the National Children's Alliance (NCA) website
(see figure 1). The website states, “NCA is a national association dedicated to helping communities
respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient and put the needs of child
victims of abuse first (National child abuse statistics from NCA 2021).” The NCA website also
states, “NCA achieves this by using the data received from over 900 Children’s Advocacy Centers in
which NCA provides training, financial support, technical assistance, leadership, and national
advocacy among other supports (National child abuse statistics from NCA 2021).” 

 
Figure 1: A, N. (2021, January 25). National child abuse statistics from NCA. Retrieved March 09, 2021,
from https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/media-room/national-statistics-on-child-abuse/. 
2.1 Summary 
The data displays the different types of abuse children have experienced as reported from the Child
Advocacy Centers (CAC). Along the x axis shows the different types of abuse: Sexual abuse, Physical
abuse, Neglect, Witness to violence, Drug endangerment, Other. Above each type of abuse shows the
percentage (increasing as the data bar rises) of children for each type of abuse as reported by the CACs
mentioned before.  
“In 2018, more than 15% of kids were poly victimized (suffered two or more forms of abuse) (National
child abuse statistics from NCA 2021).” 
The chart shows that 65% of the abuse reported alleged sexual abuse, 21% alleged Physical
abuse, 8% alleged neglect, 7% involved witnessing abuse, 3% involved drug endangerment, and 7%
alleged some other form of abuse.  
 
 
 
  
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2.2 Interpretation 
This data displays information about the alleged abuse reported to only the CACs that partner with the
National Children’s Alliance. 
The chart would lead you believe that Sexual abuse is the most common.  
Although, “Two-thirds of all cases CACs handle involve child sexual abuse (National child abuse statistics
from NCA 2021)” NCA also reported that Neglect is the most common form of abuse at a national
level (National child abuse statistics from NCA 2021).  Therefore, we can conclude that any number of
the sexual abuse cases may have also involved neglect. 
I believe this data to be misleading because it is combining cases may have or may not have involved
multiple types of abuse to a single victim.  
The bar graph draws the reader’s attention to the high percentage of cases that allege sexual abuse.
However, using a bar graph to display this data does not allow a visual of the cases in which children
were poly victimized.  
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3.0 Number of Cases of Child Abuse in the United States in 2019 by Age
The second data figure provided below was published on The American Society for the Positive Care of
Children (American SPCC) website (see figure 2). As a non-profit organization and “America’s Voice for
Children (Child abuse statistics 2021),” the website states that American SPCC join individuals and
organizations in their efforts of improving, “…the way children are represented, protected, and
treated (Child abuse statistics 2021).” They believe that many factors play a role in the abuse of
children. 

 
Figure 2: Child abuse statistics. (2021, March 11). Retrieved March 13, 2021,
from https://americanspcc.org/child-abuse-statistics/. 
3.1 Summary 
The data displays child abuse cases in the United States in 2019 by the age of the child when the abuse
occurred. The cases included in the data represent children abused from before birth and up to nine
years old.  The x axis shows the age of the abused children when the abuse occurred: >1-9 years old. The
y axis shows the number of child abuse cases in 2019: 0-100,000. Inside each bar on the chart shows the
number of children in that specific age group that was abused. 
“In 2019, 97,879 children were abused before their first birthday, (see figure 2). This is more that twice
as many of any of the other age groups shown by the above data. 
The chart also shows that at age 1, 44,411 children were abused, at age 2, 42,073 children were
abused, at age 3, 40,307 children were abused, at age 4, 38,708 children were abused, at age
5, 37,858 children were abused, at age 6, 36,303 children were abused, at age 7, 34,576 children were
abused, at age 8, 33,015 children were abused, and at age 9, 32,890 children were abused. 
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3.2 Interpretation 
This chart represents the child abuse reported in the United States in 2019 by children younger than 10
years old. 
I find it extremely alarming that the data listed above suggests that almost three times as many children
from age 1-9 had been abused before their first birthday (see figure 1). 
The data shows a continuous decline of child abuse cases as children get older. The younger the child
the more vulnerable the child is. 
This data shows evidence that child abuse in the United States is more likely to happen in the first year
of a child’s life rather than later in life.  
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4.0 Impact of Childhood Trauma

The third data figure provided below was published on Child Trends website (see figure 3). The website
states, “Children who are exposed to traumatic life events are at significant risk for developing serious
and long-lasting problems across multiple areas of development (Bartlett & Steber, 2019).” The Child
Trends article, “summarizes current research and promising practices for implementing TIC to support
the well-being of children exposed to trauma and help them reach their full potential (Bartlett & Steber,
2019). The website displays, “Common Types of Childhood Trauma (Bartlett & Steber, 2019).” “Abuse
and neglect (Bartlett & Steber, 2019),” are found at the top of that list. 
 

 
Figure 3: Bartlett, J., & Steber, K. (2019). How to Implement Trauma-informed care to build resilience to
childhood trauma. Retrieved March 21, 2021, from https://www.childtrends.org/publications/how-to-
implement-trauma-informed-care-to-build-resilience-to-childhood-trauma. 
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4.1 Summary 
Figure 3 lists the Impacts of Childhood Trauma  by category. 
Cognition effects may include but are not limited to language delays and poor
academic achievement (Bartlett & Steber, 2019). Physical health effect may include but are not limited
to a poor immune system and a shorter life span (Bartlett & Steber, 2019). Emotional effects may
include but are not limited to shame and guilt and limited coping skills (Bartlett & Steber, 2019).
Relationship effects may include but are not limited to attachment problems and intergenerational
cycles of abuse and neglect (repeating the abuse they experienced as a child) (Bartlett & Steber,
2019). Mental health effects may include but are not limited to depression and Post traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) (Bartlett & Steber, 2019). Behavioral effects may include but are not limited to social
withdrawal and aggression (Bartlett & Steber, 2019). Brain development effects may include but are not
limited to a smaller brain size and an impaired stress response (Bartlett & Steber, 2019).  
These are only a few of the confirmed effects children have suffered because of abuse. 
4.2 Interpret 
This information illustrates that the effects of abuse children experience do not cease because the abuse
itself has.  
Abuse can result in many different long-term effects in many aspects of a person's life, varying from
each person. One child may experience depression throughout life after having been a victim of abuse.
Another child may experience an eating disorder after having been abused in a similar manner.  
There is no way to predict how abuse will affect a child's future. For many, subduing the abuse they
have experienced may never be accomplished. 
Child abuse is an ongoing problem in America that affects children's futures as much as it affects the
future of our country. As a society we should be doing everything in our power to protect children and
preserve our country's future.  
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5.0 Conclusion

This report shows three very important aspects of Child abuse in America. It begins by introducing the
different types of abuse children in America have reported enduring. The abuse reported ranged from
witnessing abuse to being a victim of multiple types of abuse simultaneously. Next the report introduces
information that compares the ages of abused children, implying that younger children the more likely
to become a victim of abuse. Lastly the report introduces in information about the impact abuse has on
children during the abuse as well as long after abuse has ended. Impacts range from attachment
problems and depression to literal impaired brain growth. Children who suffered abuse face a lifelong
healing process that can never truly be overcome. We as adults should be protecting and educating our
children and our society’s future.
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References

A, N. (2021, January 25). National child abuse statistics from NCA. Retrieved March 09, 2021, from

https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/media-room/national-statistics-on-child-abuse/

Bartlett, J., & Steber, K. (2019). How to Implement Trauma-informed care to build resilience to

childhood trauma. Retrieved March 21, 2021,

from https://www.childtrends.org/publications/how-to-implement-trauma-informed-care-to-

build-resilience-to-childhood-trauma

Child abuse statistics. (2021, March 11). Retrieved March 13, 2021, from https://americanspcc.org/child-

abuse-statistics/