Updated on: July 31, 2024
Violence amongst children is an unfortunate issue with devastating consequences. This type of violence is a public health, social, and human rights issue that can affect a person’s mental health for decades after they’ve been vicitimized.
To help you learn more about this topic, I’ve gathered together the most important statistics on violence among children found anywhere on the internet. You’ll learn about the prevalence, impact, and various predictors of youth violence. Plus, I’ll cover proven ways to prevent violence among children.
If you or someone you know is a victim of child abuse or another form of violence, contact the US National Child Abuse Hotline at 800.422.4453 or via Childhelp’s website.
What Exactly Is Youth Violence?
The WHO defines youth violence as physical acts of aggression inflicted upon individuals who are 10 to 29 years old. However, the vast majority of this article’s statistics apply solely to children and adolescents under 18 years old.
In this article, the term “violence” encompasses physical aggression, such as hitting, kicking, beating, physical bullying, sexual abuse, physical harassment, or the use of weapons or objects to inflict harm. I’m not including verbal abuse, emotional abuse, grooming, verbal and cyberbullying, and some hate crimes such as shouting slurs or witnessing violence as part of the term “violence.”
While these acts are detrimental to the well-being of children and have unfortunate long-term consequences, there’s no physical violence in this act. The focus is on actions that use physical force to harm, damage, or kill someone.
It’s also important to distinguish between childhood violence and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
While the former refers to physical harm inflicted on children or adolescents by adults, peers, or through societal structures, ACEs encompass stressors that children might face while growing up. This includes witnessing violence at home or in their community and dealing with family issues like parental substance abuse.
Section 1: Impacts of Experiencing Youth Violence
Children who have been victims of violence or perpetrated it are at risk of developing unhealthy behaviors that could lead to serious mental health issues. In this section, we take a detailed look at what exactly these consequences are and how they come about.
#1: Mental Health Effects of Experiencing Violence
Violence can have severe impacts on children’s mental health. It can lead to behavioral and emotional disorders, such as aggression and antisocial behavior, as well as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal thoughts.
These experiences can affect cognitive functioning, resulting in poor academic performance and negative thinking. For some children, the long-term effects can be even more profound, leading to problems such as persistent depression and anxiety, as well as self-harm, adult violence, and substance abuse.
#2: Victims of Violence Are Less Socially Active and Perform Poorly in School
Adverse childhood experiences undermine a child’s sense of safety in their relationships, which can lead to difficulties in forming and maintaining social connections later in life. Experiencing abuse can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD, which can disrupt children’s ability to concentrate and participate in school activities.
Victims may experience a decrease in their motivation and find it difficult to form relationships with their peers. They may also struggle with sleep disturbances and a lack of interest in playing or exploring new interests, which further hinder their academic and social development.
#3: The Monetary Costs of Sexual Violence against Children
Various studies confirm that violence in childhood can lead to increased use of health services and other resources that impact government spending. Billions are spent as a result of treating and rehabilitating children after incidents of sexual violence.
Children who’ve experienced sexual abuse have double the risk of developing mental health conditions and often face teen pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases, all of which add to a nation’s annual costs.
#4: Victims of Childhood Violence Are More Likely to Experience Poverty in Adulthood
Adults who have been sexually or physically abused as children are more likely to live below the poverty line. There are several reasons why this happens.
These individuals may struggle at school because of their trauma, which limits their job opportunities when they are adults. At the same time, some people who were physically abused as children experience long-term mental health issues and behavioral problems, which affect their ability to maintain a stable job or persue better work opportunities.
#5: Witnessing Violence and Bullying Are Closely Connected
According to the “cycles of violence” theory, children who are exposed to violent behaviors at home are likely to display similar behaviors both in childhood and adulthood. A study from the University of Washington and Indiana University confirmed this.
The study also found that although children exposed to intimate partner violence were not more likely to engage in relational bullying, they were more prone to show problematic behaviors such as physical aggression and internalizing issues like anxiety or depression.
Section 2: The Current State of Youth Violence
The landscape of youth violence in the 2020s is a whole lot different than it was just a couple of years ago. While there have been certain positive developments, youth-on-youth violence is still a large-scale issue.
#6: The Number of Youth Arrests for Violent Crimes Has Declined
Since the mid-1990s, the number of young people arrested for violent crimes, including murder, robbery, and aggravated assault, has decreased. These arrests dropped to a record low in 2020, 78% less than the peak seen in 1994 and half of what they were just a decade before.
Researchers have proposed various theories about why youth violence began declining in the 1990s, though none with any certainty. The reasons behind the graph’s trendline remain largely unknown.
Researchers have cited potential factors including criminal justice advancements, such as better policing and greater regulation of firearms, and changes in the drug market. The greater economic prosperity of the ‘90s may also have led to a reduction in crime more generally.
Meanwhile, other studies note how today’s younger generations engage in risky behaviors (such as substance abuse) less often than kids and teens of the past. These behaviors can often be a precursor to violence.
#7: Violence against Staff at Schools has Increased in the US
In a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, 14% of teachers, 15% of school administrators, 18% of school psychologists, and 22% of other staff reported being the victim of physical violence during COVID-19. Violent acts by students included throwing objects at staff members, using ordinary objects as weapons, and physical attacks.
The prevalence of school violence during this period can be, at least in part, attributed to pandemic-related stressors. The pandemic led schools to online learning, which meant that kids couldn’t see their peers. The social isolation had consequences that manifested in aggressive behavior.
#8: Many Young People Report Being Bullied at School
A survey conducted by the Boys and Girls Club of America in 2023 found that 40% of young people were victims of bullying and 5% were physically bullied. Those surveyed reported being tripped, shoved, pushed, and spat on.
Bullying has long-term impacts on young people’s mental, physical, and emotional health. Students who are bullied are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and sleep problems as well as lower self-esteem.
#9: Firearms Are the Number 1 Killer of Children and Teens in the US
Firearms are the leading cause of death for children in the US, according to a 2023 study. More than 4,500 children were killed in incidents involving firearms, including murders, suicides, school shootings, and accidental injuries resulting in fatalities.
Boys account for 83% of all gun deaths among children and teens. Older children are also more in danger, with those aged from 12 to 17 accounting for 86% of all victims.
The most stark comparison can be drawn along race lines. Black children and teens constitute 46% of gun deaths among children and teens, despite making up just 14% of the under-18 population in the US.
#10: The Scale of Children Dying From Physical Abuse
On average, five children died from child abuse each day in 2022. Nearly half of these victims were under the age of one. Two-thirds of victims were under the age of three.
At least one parent was involved in 82% of child fatalities resulting from child abuse in 2022. According to the Mayo Clinic, the risk factors that perpetuate these problems range from alcohol, drug, and other substance abuse to financial problems, unemployment, and poverty.
#11: The Majority of Abusers Are Caregivers
The majority of child abuse cases involve perpetrators who are parents of the child. Non-parent relatives and individuals with personal relationships with the child – such as babysitters, foster siblings, and unmarried partners of the child’s parents – are also regular perpetrators of abuse. The remaining percentage includes caregivers, childcare providers, group home staff, and foster parents.
Family violence is a particularly difficult challenge because it’s almost impossible for children to escape since these are the people they depend on to take care of them (i.e., their parents, babysitters, siblings, etc.).
Section 3: Youth Violence around the World
Violence is one of the most common offenses committed by minors all over the world. Many children and teens experience violence that never ends up on the record.
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at the causes of youth violence around the world.
#12: Child Maltreatment in the US Often Involves Physical and Sexual Abuse
According to FFY 2021 data, 16% of children in the US are physically abused and 10% are sexually abused.
Aside from immediate physical harm, these forms of abuse can also cause emotional trauma that leads to long-term problems, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
#13: Child Maltreatment in Europe
According to UNICEF, 18 million children in Europe are sexually abused and 44 million are physically abused each year. This results in the deaths of at least 850 children on the continent annually.
Approximately 9,100 of the more than 35,000 child and adolescent deaths reported each year in the EU are due to physical injury. Sadly, almost a third of these are reported as intentional. The proportion of unintentional injury deaths among children varies widely across the EU.
#14: Young People in the UK Are Perpetrating More “Violence against the Person”
The total number of crimes committed by young people aged 10 to 17 years old in the United Kingdom has decreased over the past decade. However, there has been a significant increase in violent crime committed by children in England and Wales over the last decade.
Specifically, the proportion of violence against the person offenses has increased by 12.4%. This category includes serious crimes like homicide, rape, and aggravated assault. Additionally, sexual offenses have seen a rise of 1.4 percentage points.
#15: Aggravated Assault Is the Most Common Form of Youth Violence in Germany
Aggravated assault is defined as a physical attack carried out with the intent of seriously injuring, maiming, or even killing another person. In 2023, over 30,000 Germans under the age of 18 were suspected of this crime.
The data show that juveniles (14 to 17 years old) had the highest number of aggravated assault cases, followed by young adults (18 to 20 years old). Children under the age of 13 had fewer incidents, but they were still high compared to other forms of youth violence.
Section 4: The Impact of Children Being Exposed to Widespread Violence
War, terrorism, and gangsterism are some of the most extreme forms of violence that anyone can be exposed to. This section sheds light on the impact and consequences of this type of violence on children.
#16: Hundreds of Millions of Children Live in Conflict Zones
There are 468 million children globally living in conflict zones, which are defined as areas within 50 km of armed violence. This figure has doubled since the mid-1990s.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the worst affected country, with rampant grave violations against children, including killings, forced recruitment, and sexual violence. Other conflicts that are massively impacting children include the war in Gaza, where nine-tenths of the region’s population is displaced, and the escalating war in Sudan, where 24 million children’s lives, health outcomes, and development opportunities are at risk.
#17: Children Affected by War and Terrorism Develop Mental Health Problems
By the end of 2022, a record 43.3 million children lived in forced displacement. The traumatic experiences, fear, and uncertainty that result from war drive depression and anxiety among children affected by conflict. Physical injuries, social isolation, and economic hardship further contribute to these mental health struggles.
Early studies show a significant increase in PTSD soon after resettlement, but rates of depression and anxiety also increase within five years. These findings highlight the critical importance of both immediate and long-term mental health care for war-affected children and families and underscore the need for support during and after traumatic events.
#18: Thousands of Children Are Recruited by Armed Groups
Between 2005 and 2020, approximately 93,000 children were verified recruited by armed groups. Among those violations against children, 317 were confirmed in Sudan in 2020. The UN also reports that states across Africa and the Middle East use children in hostilities, including Congo, Central African Republic, Afghanistan, and more.
Historically, children have been always involved in war, but modern conflicts see a disturbing number of children being recruited. Children are targeted because they can easily be manipulated or forced into joining armed groups. They also don’t require as much food as adult soldiers.
#19: Most Minors Stay in Gangs for 4 Years or Fewer
A common misconception perpetuated by pop culture is that leaving a gang is impossible. In reality, however, most members can quit without any major issues. In a survey of former gang members, 91% said they had “just left their gang and did not have to engage in any exceptional means to quit.”
Youths usually stay in gangs for two years or less, and only around 10% stay in gangs for more than four years. The most common reason young people leave gangs is because of their experiences with violence.
#20: Most Gang Members in the US Join Organized Crime Groups in Their Teens
Only 2% of all gang members are juveniles, but most older affiliates report having joined these organizations when they were minors.
Research suggests that social, family, and community environments can all impact a youth’s likelihood of joining a gang. Youths who associate with delinquent peers, experience negative life events, and hold positive attitudes toward drugs are at risk. However, no single factor, or set of factors, can fully predict whether someone will join a gang.
Meanwhile, youths with strong social competence, close social connections, and conventional beliefs are less likely to join gangs.
Section 5: Risk Factors for Youth Violence
There is no single factor that fully explains why some young people engage in or experience violence. It results from many interacting elements, including family dynamics, school climate, and community environment.
#21: Socioeconomic Risk Factors
Young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds (Low-SES) are more likely to be exposed to violence and, therefore, exhibit violent behaviors later in life. A study found that female teenagers from low socioeconomic backgrounds were three times more likely to engage in violent behavior than others, while boys were twice as likely.
This difference between the genders may exist because girls tend to internalize stress and trauma differently than boys. This could lead to higher rates of violent behavior as a means of coping with these experiences.
#22: Common Denominators of School Shooters
Most school shooters are young, male, predominantly white, and often feel marginalized, with many experiencing bullying or rejection. More than half have mental health problems such as depression or suicidal thoughts. Many also show a fascination with violence, often reflected in their media consumption and personal writings.
Since most school shooters are minors and obtain guns illegally, often from family members, tightening gun control is essential. Schools must also pay close attention to warning signs of impending violence and encourage students and staff to report potential threats.
#23: Cyberbullying Increases the Risk of Physical Violence
A study has found that cyberbullying victims are significantly more likely to become violent than their peers who were not bullied. These victims might resort to physical violence with the use of a weapon as a way of retaliation against their bullies.
Only 22.5% of non-victimized students reported being in a physical fight and 16.2% admitted to carrying weapons, compared to 33% and 20% of those who had been cyberbullied.
Section 6: The Best Ways to Mitigate Violence among Children
Physical violence among children is common, but not unavoidable. With the right psychological care, classroom practices, and child-parent conversations about managing anger, the likelihood of a child being violent can be radically decreased.
1. Child-Parent Center Programs
In Scotland, children who started Child-Parent Center programs at ages 3 or 4 and stayed for 4 to 6 years had lower rates of violent arrests and convictions 15 years later. The longer they stayed in the program, the less likely they were to be involved in violent crime.
These programs involved both the children and their parents, with the goal of reducing violent behavior. And it looks like the benefits of these programs lasted long after they ended. Implementing such programs can really make a dent in the overall level of violence.
2. Mentoring
After just 18 months in a mentoring program, kids were 46% less likely to start using illegal drugs, 27% less likely to start drinking alcohol, and 32% less likely to get into physical fights.
Mentoring really helps. When kids have trusted mentors close to their age, they do better at handling tough issues and experiences, and managing difficult emotions. These programs also provide a safe space for children to express themselves and learn better coping skills.
3. Educational Programs and Training
G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) is a program that teaches middle school students in the US to avoid gang involvement, reduce delinquency, and improve attitudes toward police.
This program has shown promising results with a 24% reduction in youth gang membership rates among students. Youths who participated showed positive changes in several areas. They developed more positive attitudes toward the police and less positive attitudes about gangs. They improved in using refusal skills, resisting peer pressure, and associated with delinquent peers less often.
These findings suggest that G.R.E.A.T. is effective in influencing key factors associated with gang membership and can be an essential component of community strategies to prevent youth violence and gang involvement.
4. Local Programs and Strategies
The WHO’s INSPIRE strategies are making a real difference in reducing violence against children. Analysis shows that well-designed local INSPIRE programs can reduce violence by as much as 20-50%.
INSPIRE stands for implementation and enforcement of laws, norms, and values; safe environments; support for parents and caregivers; income and economic empowerment; response and support services; and education and life skills.
Each of these elements is critical, and while some communities may be stronger in certain areas than others, they all must work together. When they do, they create safer, more nurturing environments where young people can truly thrive.
The Bottom Line
Violence among children is a complex, multi-layered issue. Children can be victims or perpetrators of violence. Often, they’re both at the same time. Regardless of their role, violence can impact children long into adulthood, both physically and mentally.
Current trends suggest that violence among children and teens is decreasing, but that doesn’t mean they’re not exposed to it anymore. With social media and the internet, kids today are able to access violent images much easier than in generations past.
While this is worrying, parents, teachers, and caregivers aren’t helpless in the fight against youth violence. Youth programs have shown that education and compassion are effective ways to reduce the likelihood of kids and adolescents becoming violent. As adults, leading by example and creating supportive environments for children can help keep them on the right path.