Utah’s Child Abuse Stats Reveal Upsetting Truths

Child abuse is a stark reality in today’s world and no matter where you are, it is an issue, even in Utah.  

The idea that a child is suffering needlessly at the hands of most often, close relatives or parents is a hard truth. Those who should be trusted are the ones most often to blame in cases of child abuse.  

Utah sees thousands of child abuse and neglect reports each year. In a report from the Utah Children’s Justice Center Program, it said that in 2020 20,713 reports were accepted by Child Protective Services. CPS confirmed 7,334 abuse and neglect cases which had 10,654 child victims. 

Abuse can look like a lot of things. Endangering a child, domestic violence, sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect, and even medical neglect. 

Utah has statistics for all of these examples and more. The most common form of child abuse in Utah is child endangerment at 21.6%. After that is domestic violence at 20.7% and sexual abuse at 14.3%. 

The statistics go on. 

Nationally, children under the age of one have the highest rate of victimization and girls have a slightly higher chance of being victimized than boys.  

Whether you have a child or not, there are things you can look out for in the children in your life to spot abuse. 

• Unexplained injuries 

• Sudden change in behavior. 

• Fear of going home 

• Change in eating or sleeping habits. 

• A change in school performance 

• Lack of personal hygiene. 

• Sexual behaviors.  

All of these may indicate that a child is being abused and if you believe that is the case, report the abuse to 1-855-323-3237.  

Let's all work together to protect the future generation and their childhood.