Child Abuse Statistics
Child abuse is a sobering reality that impacts children and families nationwide and across the state of Idaho.
1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys in the U.S. are estimated to experience child sexual abuse.
In 2025, Idaho’s Children’s Advocacy Centers served 3,639 children who experienced abuse or neglect, with 68% of those children being girls.
A common misconception is that abuse is most often committed by strangers. In reality, among the children seen at Idaho CACs in 2025, only 3% did not know the alleged offender, meaning the vast majority of children were harmed by someone they knew and trusted.
Of the cases served, 70% involved allegations of sexual abuse, highlighting the critical need for prevention education, early intervention, and community awareness.
Understanding the Different Forms of Child Abuse
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Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves intentionally causing physical harm to a child through actions such as hitting, shaking, burning, or other forms of violence. These injuries are not accidental and often occur as a result of anger, punishment, or loss of control.
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Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse occurs when a child is involved in sexual activity they cannot understand, consent to, or are developmentally unprepared for. This can include contact and non-contact behaviors such as exploitation, exposure to pornography, or inappropriate touching by someone the child knows or trusts.
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Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse includes patterns of behavior that harm a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth, such as constant criticism, threats, rejection, or exposure to domestic violence. Though it may not leave visible marks, the effects can be long-lasting and deeply damaging.
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Neglect
Neglect happens when a caregiver fails to provide for a child’s basic needs, including food, shelter, medical care, supervision, education, or emotional support. It is the most common form of child maltreatment and can significantly impact a child’s health and development.
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Witnessing Violence
Children who witness domestic violence or other serious violence in their home or community experience trauma even if they are not physically harmed. Exposure to unsafe environments can affect their emotional well-being, behavior, and sense of safety.
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Child Sex Trafficking / Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)
Child sex trafficking, also referred to as Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), occurs when a child is manipulated, coerced, or forced into sexual activity in exchange for something of value—such as money, housing, food, gifts, or protection. Traffickers are often someone the child knows and may use grooming, threats, or emotional control rather than physical force to exploit the child.
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Online Exploitation and Abuse
Online exploitation happens when technology is used to harm or exploit a child. This can include grooming through social media or gaming platforms, coercing a child to share sexual images, sextortion, or the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). These crimes often occur without a caregiver’s awareness and can escalate quickly from online contact to in-person abuse.
How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse
If you have witnessed child abuse or suspect that it is occurring, say something immediately. Report child abuse in Idaho 24/7 by utilizing the following contact information:
Call 2-1-1 and state your intention to report abuse or call 1-855-552-KIDS (855-552-5437) or contact local law enforcement.
If you witness child abuse outside of Idaho, make an effort to connect with the proper authorities. For more information and to find the relevant agency, visit One With Courage. Read here to know more about how to handle a child abuse disclosure.
Child abuse and neglect is an epidemic that unfortunately touches every segment of the population. Law enforcement agencies and public advocates work to rescue children from neglectful circumstances, but these organizations often rely on input from the general public. Learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of child abuse gives any casual observer the opportunity to participate in the saving of an innocent child. Read here to know more about the signs and symptoms of child abuse.
Sexual Behavior Rules (for School-Age Children)
- It is not OK to show your private parts to others.
- It is not OK to look at other people’s private parts.
- It is not OK to touch other people’s private parts.
- It is not OK to use sexual language or make other people uncomfortable with your sexual behavior.
