The abuse problem is widespread and affects millions globally across various types of abuse, including domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse, and substance abuse.
Domestic Abuse
- In England and Wales, about 8.0% of people aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in the last year, equating to approximately 3.9 million people
- Since age 16, 1 in 4 people (26.1%) have experienced domestic abuse, with 30.3% of women and 21.7% of men affected
- In England and Wales, 10.4 million adults have experienced domestic abuse since age 16, roughly 22% of adults
- Among teenagers, a quarter of girls aged 13-18 report physical abuse in intimate relationships, and one-third report sexual abuse
Child Abuse and Sexual Violence
- Globally, 1 billion children are estimated to experience sexual violence
- In the U.S., over 550,000 children were known to authorities as abused or neglected in 2022, with 558,899 unique incidents reported
- In the U.S., 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys are estimated to experience child sexual abuse
- Nearly half of sexual abuse cases start at age 15 or younger worldwide, with nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men aged 20+ having faced sexual violence as children
- Worldwide, 6 in 10 children under 5 suffer physical punishment or psychological violence from caregivers
- One in 5 women and 1 in 7 men report childhood sexual abuse globally
Substance Abuse
- In England and Wales, 8.8% of adults aged 16-59 reported using any drug in the past year, about 2.9 million people, with higher rates among young adults aged 16-24 (16.5%)
- In the U.S., 21.4% of people aged 12 and over have used illegal or misused prescription drugs in the last year, totaling about 59 million people
- About 20.4% of alcohol users in the U.S. have an alcohol use disorder, and 25.4% of illegal drug users have a drug disorder
- Drug abuse is more common among young males and urban populations, with early drug use strongly linked to later substance disorders
Violence and Abuse Impact
- Early exposure to violence can cause toxic stress affecting brain development and increase risks of aggression, substance abuse, and criminal behavior
- Abuse by family members is common; in child abuse cases, 76% of victims were abused by a parent or legal guardian
- Abuse often escalates in frequency or severity, with severe long-lasting effects on victims and children exposed to domestic abuse
Overall, abuse is a pervasive issue affecting a significant portion of the population worldwide, with millions of victims across different types of abuse and age groups
