Abuse awareness starts by understanding the scope of the problem
In Indiana, most numbers have not changed significantly year-to-year, and because of lagging indicators from county-level organizations, only data from 2019 or 2020—before the pandemic—is the latest available.
- Indiana ranks 29th for their 3rd consecutive year for abuse rates (PDF).
- Children are still most likely to be abused or assaulted by someone they know, not a stranger. About 70-80% of cases at most CACs involve a child who knew their abuser.
- Indiana’s foster care placement rate of 10 per 1,000 children ages 0 to 17 has consistently ranked among the highest five states nationally (PDF), with drug/alcohol abuse cited in 61% of the cases.
- About a quarter of Hoosier kids live in poverty, and a third have caregivers in unstable employment.
Indiana’s abuse rate is 2x higher than the national average
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says Indiana Kentucky have child abuse rates more than double the national average.
- Just over 23,00 kids were victims of maltreatment in 2019. That number will likely be far higher once 2020-2021 numbers are compiled.
- Indiana ranks third for child fatality rates with 4.96 deaths per 100,000. The national average is 2.32 deaths per 100,000 children.
- 69% are maltreated by a mother.
- Over 230,000 calls were made to the Indiana Child ABuse Hotline last year.
Indiana CACs will see about 10,000 kids this year—and counting
Each year, about 10,000 kids come to an Indiana CAC for a forensic interview, representing about half of all known maltreatment cases. CACs provide additional services, including Victim Advocacy, referrals to medical and mental health providers, and more to every family in need.
You can find your local CAC and support them this April and every month through donations and supplies.
Report child abuse at
1-800-800-5556
Everyone in Indiana is a mandated reporter of abuse.
Call the Indiana child abuse hotline at 1-800-800-5556 or 911 in an emergency to report a suspicion of child abuse, neglect, sexual assault, or maltreatment.
