Abused and neglected children are affected their entire lives. The Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin estimates that 80 percent of substance abusers, 78 percent of the prison population and 95 percent of prostitutes report being abused as children. Also, abused and neglected children are less likely to be school-ready, more likely to be truant and more likely to be teen parents. As they grow up, children who are abused and neglected are more likely to develop chronic illnesses and suffer from depression, alcoholism, and drug abuse. They also are more likely to abuse other children.

Also provides figures on the direct and indirect social costs of child abuse.