These resources present the most recent national and State statistics and data on the reporting and occurrence of child abuse and neglect. Resources are divided into reports and briefs, data sources, and data archives.
The National Incidence Study is a congressionally mandated, periodic research effort to assess the incidence of child abuse and neglect in the United States.
Because time is needed to compile, analyze, and publish data, statistical publications often are released 2 or more years after the time period being analyzed. Information Gateway makes every effort to ensure the resources provided are the most current statistics available.
Reports and briefs
Reports and briefs include analyses of State and national data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System and the Child Welfare Outcomes report data collection. They also identify trends, explain methodology, and provide context from the data.
Child Maltreatment
Child Trends (2019)
Highlights trends and key facts from the Child Maltreatment report, including significant data, graphs, and charts. The overview looks at the data at a national level.
Child Maltreatment 2018
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2020)
Presents national data about child abuse and neglect known to child protective services agencies in the United States during Federal fiscal year 2018.
Child Welfare Outcomes 2016: Report to Congress
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2019)
Reports information on the performance of States on seven national outcome categories and includes data on contextual factors and findings of analyses conducted across States.
Youth Victimization (PDF - 229 KB)
The National Resource Center for Reaching Victims (2019)
Covers crime trends and current data on crime victimization.
Data sources
Data sources include databases that provide State and national data that users can search to find specific statistics. Some data sources may require submitting a request for access.
Child Welfare Outcomes Report Data
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau
Provides findings about child welfare performance across States over time. The website presents data on outcomes, demographics, and context contained in the report. Users can generate customized reports by State and year.
National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2017)
Presents the voluntary data-collection system that gathers information from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico about reports of child abuse and neglect that are later used in the Child Welfare Outcomes reports and annual Child Maltreatment reports.
Data archives
Data archives include datasets from past projects and reports funded by the Children’s Bureau.
Abuse, Neglect, Adoption and Foster Care
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation
Offers a collection of research on child maltreatment, children and families involved with child protective services, and children and families receiving child welfare services within their biological families or while in out-of-home care.
National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (NDACAN)
Cornell University
Provides researchers with child abuse and neglect datasets, documentation, and technical support from past data-collection efforts. NDACAN does not maintain statistics on child abuse and neglect or provide reports of research findings.
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