Child Maltreatment 2021

This report presents national data about child abuse and neglect known to child protective services agencies in the United States during federal fiscal year 2021.

Table of Contents

Letter from the Associate Commissioner

Acknowledgements

Child Abuse and Neglect Data During the Pandemic

Summary

CHAPTER 1: Introduction

• Background of NCANDS 
• Annual Data Collection Process
• 2020 Census
• NCANDS as a Resource
• Structure of the Report 

CHAPTER 2: Reports

• Screening 
• Report Sources 
• CPS Response Time 
• CPS Workforce and Caseload
• Exhibit and Table Notes

CHAPTER 3: Children

• Alternative Response 
• Unique and Duplicate Counts 
• Children Who Received an Investigation or Alternative Response 
• Children Who Received an Investigation or Alternative Response by Disposition
• Number of Child Victims
• Child Victim Demographics 
• Maltreatment Types 
• Focus on Maltreatment Categories
• Victims of Sex Trafficking by Sex and Age
• Perpetrator Relationships
• Risk Factors
• Infants With Prenatal Substance Exposure
• Reporting Infants With Prenatal Substance Exposure to NCANDS
• Number of Infants With Prenatal Substance Exposure
• Screened-in Infants With Prenatal Substance Exposure Who Have a Plan of Safe Care
• Screened-in Infants With Prenatal Substance Exposure Who Have a Referral to Appropriate Services
• Exhibit and Table Notes 

CHAPTER 4: Fatalities

• Number of Child Fatalities 
• Child Fatality Demographics
• Risk Factors 
• Perpetrator Relationship 
• Prior CPS Contact 
• Exhibit and Table Notes 

CHAPTER 5: Perpetrators

• Number of Perpetrators 
• Perpetrator Demographics 
• Perpetrator Relationship 
• Exhibit and Table Notes

CHAPTER 6: Services

• Prevention Services  
• Postresponse Services  
• History of Receiving Services  
• Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 
• Exhibit and Table Notes 

CHAPTER 7: Special Focus

• Introduction
• Children in Screen-in Referrals by Known Race or Ethnicity
• Victims by Known Race or Ethnicity Trend
• Victims by Known Race or Ethnicity, and Selected Report Sources
• Victims by Known Race or Ethnicity and Age Group
• Maltreatment Types of Victims by Known Race or Ethnicity
• Adult Perpetrators by Known Race or Ethnicity and Selected Relationships to Their Victims
• Children by Known Race or Ethnicity and Postresponse Services Receipt
• Exhibit and Table Notes

APPENDIX A: CAPTA Data Items

APPENDIX B: Glossary

APPENDIX C: State Characteristics

APPENDIX D: State Commentary