Child abuse has major impacts on communities, families, and children:

• Child abuse and neglect impede the brain's development and have long-term consequences for cognitive, language, and academic abilities.

• The emotional effects of abuse and neglect can contribute to  low self-esteem, depression, and relationship difficulties.
• Child abuse and neglect is a risk factor for borderline personality disorder, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders.
• More than half of children with reports of abuse are at risk of grade repetition, substance abuse, delinquency, truancy, or pregnancy.
• Children who have experienced abuse are nine times more likely to become involved in criminal activities. 
• Children exposed to abuse and neglect are more likely to smoke cigarettes, abuse alcohol, or take illicit drugs during their lifetime. 
• The lifetime cost of child maltreatment and related fatalities in 1 year is $124 billion.