Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect: Identification and Reporting

Chapter Four - The Consequences of Child Abuse

Chapter 1: Recognition of Child Abuse, Maltreatment, and Neglect

Chapter 2: Reporting Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect

Chapter 3: The Abandoned Infant Protection Act

Chapter 4: The Consequences of Child Abuse
Introduction
Physical Health
Consequences
Psychological
Consequences
Behavioral
Consequences
Societal Consequences
The Consequences in
Statistical Form

References

Appendices

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Behavioral Consequences

Not all victims of child abuse and neglect will experience behavioral consequences; however, child abuse and neglect appear to make the following more likely:

  • Difficulties during adolescence. Studies have found abused and neglected children to be at least 25 percent more likely to experience problems such as delinquency, teen pregnancy, low academic achievement, drug use, and mental health problems.

  • Juvenile delinquency and adult criminality. A National Institute of Justice study indicated being abused or neglected as a child increased the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 59 percent. Abuse and neglect increased the likelihood of adult criminal behavior by 28 percent and violent crime by 30 percent.

  • Alcohol and other drug abuse. Research consistently reflects an increased likelihood that abused and neglected children will smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol, or take illicit drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as many as two-thirds of people in drug treatment programs reported being abused as children.

  • Abusive behavior. Abusive parents often have experienced abuse during their own childhoods. It is estimated approximately one-third of abused and neglected children will eventually victimize their own children.

Continue on to Societal Consequences