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KEY DATA 2021

Abuse and Traumas

The unique nature of adolescence means that young people experiencing abuse and trauma in this phase of life may have different needs to younger children or adults.

One in five people experiences at least one form of child abuse before the age of 16

Physical abuse

7.6% of adults aged 18 to 74 years experience physical abuse before the age of 16 Physical abuse is deliberately hurting or injuring a child or young person. This could be caused by hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or other physical harm. The term is usually used in relation to adult and familial violence against children. Again, less is known about what this actually means for the 10-24 age group as opposed to younger children. 

The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 7.6% of adults aged 18 to 74 years experienced physical abuse before the age of 16 years (3.1 million people); this includes perpetrators aged 16 years or over only (ONS, 2020a).

Rates of physical abuse offences against 11-18 year olds are similar across England, Wales & Northern Ireland
Recorded rates of physical abuse offences against 11-18 year olds have increased

In the year 2017-2018 54 children (under 18) had abuse listed as their cause of death (non-accidental injury and neglect) in England but these numbers are not broken down by age in the main datasets so we cannot tell how many are over 10 (ONS, 2020b).  

All data correct as of 1st November 2021

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