Tennessee Chapter of Children’s Advocacy Centers

Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States

A report released by Prevent Child Abuse America funded by Pew Charitable Trusts estimates the annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States to be 103.8 billion dollars. This figure includes both direct and indirect costs of child abuse.

Direct costs are estimated to be $33.1 billion which includes the costs of meeting the immediate needs of children who are abused or neglected. These services include but are not limited to: hospitalization, mental healthcare, child welfare services and law enforement.

The indirect costs of child abuse and neglect in America are estimated to be $70.65 billion. This figure includes costs associated with special education, juvenile delinquency, mental health and health care, adult criminal justice system expenditures and lost productivity to society for individuals who are abused and neglected.