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    Explainer

    Child protection explained: how CPS works and what the data show

    Child protection is the system of laws, agencies and services that responds when a child may be abused or neglected by a parent or caregiver.[1][2] In the US, child protective services (CPS) received an estimated 4,365,000 referrals in federal fiscal year 2024 and confirmed 532,228 child victims, most of them neglected rather than physically or sexually abused.[3][4][5]

    Editor reviewedStrict sourcingUpdated ExplainerSocial welfare, Tech policy

    If a child is in danger now, call 911 in the US or 999 in the UK.[6][7] In the US, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline takes calls and texts on 1-800-422-4453.[8] In the UK, adults worried about a child can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, and children can call Childline free on 0800 1111.[7] Hotlines offer support but not legal or medical advice.[9]

    This explainer is the first stop in a short course on child protection and domestic violence. It covers how the system works, what the latest official data show and how laws differ between countries. It describes systems and statistics only; it never identifies children or families. This page is for information only and is not legal advice. Rules vary by state and country, so check with the official agency.

    What child protection covers

    The CDC defines child abuse and neglect as harm, or the threat of harm, done to a child under 18 by a parent, caregiver or someone else in a custodial role.[1] Its four common types are physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, which means failing to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs.[1] Child protection agencies deal mainly with harm inside the family. Abuse by strangers or acquaintances is generally handled by the police.[10]

    Federal law sets only a floor. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), enacted in 1974, funds state prevention, investigation and prosecution work.[11] Its minimum definition covers any recent act or failure to act by a parent or caretaker that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or that presents an imminent risk of serious harm.[12] Each state writes its own statutory definitions on top of that floor, which is one reason state statistics are hard to compare.[12] Primary responsibility for child welfare rests with the states, and tribes run their own programmes and courts.[13]

    How a report moves through CPS

    Anyone can report a concern, and some states accept anonymous reports. Most reports, though, come from “mandatory reporters”, people such as teachers and doctors whom state law requires to report.[14] In 2024, professionals made 70.9% of US reports. Police and legal staff (21.8%) and school staff (20.8%) were the largest groups.[15]

    The agency first decides whether to “screen in” the call. In 2024 it screened in a little under half of referrals (47.1%).[16] Screened-in cases are usually investigated. Some instead get an “alternative response” that focuses on what the family needs.[17]

    The Children’s Bureau’s National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) uses precise terms. A referral is an allegation; a screened-in referral is a report; reports receive either an investigation or an alternative response, which does not determine whether maltreatment occurred.[17] When home is not safe, CPS can place children in out-of-home care, either foster care or kinship care with relatives, while parents receive services.[2] Reunification is the first priority when it is safe.[18] The next page in this course, the foster care explainer, follows children who enter care.

    What the US data show

    The Children’s Bureau published Child Maltreatment 2024 on January 16, 2026. It covers October 2023 to September 2024.[19] CPS agencies received an estimated 4,365,000 referrals involving about 7,693,000 children.[3] Agencies confirmed 532,228 victims, a rate of 7.2 per 1,000 children.[4] Babies under 1 had the highest victimization rate, at 20.1 per 1,000.[20] Neglect dominated: 63.3% of victims experienced neglect only.[5] Fifty-two states reported 1,773 child deaths from abuse and neglect, a rate of 2.41 per 100,000 children.[21]

    These figures count only cases known to CPS. The CDC separately says at least one in seven US children experienced abuse or neglect in the past year.[22]

    England and the world

    In England, there were 402,400 “children in need” of social care support on 31 March 2025, about 1 in 30 children.[23] Nearly 50,000 were on child protection plans. Neglect (50%) and emotional abuse (37%) were the most common initial categories.[24] The next release is due in December 2026.[25]

    Globally, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, is the most widely ratified human rights treaty.[26] UNICEF estimates that nearly 400 million children under 5 regularly experience psychological aggression or physical punishment at home.[27] It also estimates that more than 370 million girls and women alive today experienced rape or sexual assault before 18, along with 240 to 310 million boys and men.[28]

    Next in this course

    Read how foster care works, then the debate over online child safety laws and the UK Online Safety Act. The course then turns to domestic violence, how to get help, the Violence Against Women Act and the policy tracker.

    Next in the crash course

    Questions readers ask

    How do I report suspected child abuse in the US?

    Anyone can report suspected abuse or neglect, anonymously in some states, to the state or county child protective services agency. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (call or text 1-800-422-4453) can help. In an emergency, call 911.[14][8][6]

    How do I report suspected child abuse in the UK?

    In England, GOV.UK says to contact the children's social care team at the local council, or call 999 if a child is at immediate risk. Adults can get advice from the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000; children can call Childline free on 0800 1111.[29][7]

    What counts as child abuse or neglect?

    The CDC defines it as abuse or neglect of a child under 18 by a parent, caregiver or someone in a custodial role that causes harm, potential harm or threat of harm. It names four common types; physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. Each US state writes its own legal definition on top of a federal minimum.[1][12]

    What happens after a report is made to CPS?

    The agency screens the referral. Screened-in referrals become reports that are usually investigated; some get an alternative response focused on the family's needs. In FFY 2024, 47.1% of referrals were screened in.[17][16]

    What is the most common form of child maltreatment?

    Neglect. In FFY 2024, 63.3% of US victims experienced neglect only and 79.3% experienced neglect alone or alongside another type.[5]

    Does CPS handle abuse by strangers?

    Generally not. Harm to children by acquaintances or strangers is generally a matter for law enforcement rather than child welfare agencies.[10]

    Sources

    · 29 claims from 8 publishers

    Each numbered claim is a statement we checked against the sources listed with it. Tap a number in the text to see its sources in place.

    1. [1]

      The CDC defines child abuse and neglect as abuse or neglect of a child under 18 by a parent, caregiver or another person in a custodial role that results in harm, potential harm or threat of harm, and names four common types; physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    2. [2]

      The US child welfare system combines prevention services, child protective services investigations, in-home services, out-of-home placement in foster or kinship care, permanency planning and post-permanency support. confirmedas of 2025-05-01

    3. [3]

      In FFY 2024, US child protective services agencies received an estimated 4,365,000 referrals alleging child abuse and neglect, involving about 7,693,000 children. confirmedas of 2026-01-16

      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 · Summary (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    4. [4]

      There were 532,228 victims of child abuse and neglect in the US in FFY 2024, a rate of 7.2 per 1,000 children. confirmedas of 2026-01-16

      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 · Summary (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    5. [5]

      Neglect was the most common maltreatment type in FFY 2024; 63.3% of victims experienced neglect only and 79.3% experienced neglect alone or with another type. confirmedas of 2026-01-16

      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 · Summary (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    6. [6]

      The National Domestic Violence Hotline tells people in immediate danger or a life-threatening situation to contact 911. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

      • Plan for Safety · National Domestic Violence Hotline (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    7. [7]

      GOV.UK directs adults worried about a child to the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 and children and young people to Childline on 0800 1111, and says to call 999 if a child is at immediate risk. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    8. [8]

      The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline can be reached by calling or texting 1-800-422-4453, or by live chat. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    9. [9]

      Childhelp says its crisis counseling cannot replace trained professionals and that the hotline does not provide legal or medical advice. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    10. [10]

      Child welfare agencies generally do not handle harm to children by acquaintances or strangers; those cases are generally the responsibility of law enforcement. confirmedas of 2025-05-01

    11. [11]

      The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), enacted in 1974, funds states' prevention, assessment, investigation and prosecution of child abuse and neglect. confirmedas of 2025-05-01

    12. [12]

      The federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act sets a minimum definition of child abuse and neglect as any recent act or failure to act by a parent or caretaker that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or that presents an imminent risk of serious harm; each state writes its own definitions on top. confirmedas of 2026-01-16

      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 · Summary, definitions (retrieved 2026-10-11)
      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    13. [13]

      In the US, primary responsibility for child welfare services rests with the states, with federal funding and laws, and tribes operate their own child welfare programs and courts. confirmedas of 2025-05-01

    14. [14]

      Anyone can report suspected child abuse or neglect, anonymously in some states, but most reports come from mandatory reporters, people required by state law to report suspicions. confirmedas of 2025-05-01

    15. [15]

      Professionals such as police, lawyers, teachers and medical staff made 70.9% of FFY 2024 reports; legal and law enforcement personnel (21.8%) and education personnel (20.8%) were the largest groups. confirmedas of 2026-01-16

      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 · Summary (retrieved 2026-10-11)
      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    16. [16]

      Among the 48 states reporting both, 47.1% of FFY 2024 referrals were screened in for a CPS response and 52.9% were screened out. confirmedas of 2026-01-16

      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 · Summary (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    17. [17]

      A CPS agency first screens each allegation (a referral); screened-in referrals become reports, most of which are investigated, while some receive an "alternative response" that focuses on the family's needs without determining whether maltreatment occurred. confirmedas of 2026-01-16

      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 · Summary (retrieved 2026-10-11)
      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    18. [18]

      When children are separated from their parents' care, the child welfare system's priority is to reunite them when it is safe to do so. confirmedas of 2025-05-01

    19. [19]

      The Children's Bureau published Child Maltreatment 2024, covering federal fiscal year 2024 (October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024), on January 16, 2026. confirmedas of 2026-01-16

      • Child Maltreatment reports (series page) · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (retrieved 2026-10-11)
      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 · Chapter 1 (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    20. [20]

      Children younger than 1 had the highest victimization rate in FFY 2024, at 20.1 per 1,000 children of that age. confirmedas of 2026-01-16

      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 · Summary (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    21. [21]

      In FFY 2024, 52 states reported that 1,773 children died from abuse and neglect, a rate of 2.41 per 100,000 children. confirmedas of 2026-01-16

      • Child Maltreatment 2024 · U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau · 2026-01-16 · Summary (retrieved 2026-10-11)
    22. [22]

      The CDC says at least one in seven US children experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    23. [23]

      In England there were over 400,000 children in need on 31 March 2025 (402,400), about 1 in every 30 children. confirmedas of 2025-10-30

    24. [24]

      Nearly 50,000 children in England (49,420) were on child protection plans on 31 March 2025, about 1 in 250 children; neglect (50%) and emotional abuse (37%) were the most common initial categories. confirmedas of 2025-10-30

    25. [25]

      The Department for Education's next children in need release is scheduled for December 2026. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    26. [26]

      The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    27. [27]

      UNICEF estimated in June 2024 that nearly 400 million children under 5, about 6 in 10 worldwide, regularly experience psychological aggression or physical punishment at home, around 330 million of them physical punishment. confirmedas of 2024-06-11

    28. [28]

      UNICEF estimated in October 2024 that more than 370 million girls and women alive today, about 1 in 8, experienced rape or sexual assault before age 18, and that 240 to 310 million boys and men, about 1 in 11, did too. confirmedas of 2024-10-10

    29. [29]

      In England, GOV.UK advises people who think a child is at risk or being abused to contact the children's social care team at their local council. confirmedas of 2026-10-11

    Revision history (1)
    1. Page created.

    Created Oct 11, 2026. Last reviewed by an editor on Oct 11, 2026. Next scheduled review: Jan 31, 2027.

    Cite this page

    "Child protection explained: how CPS works and what the data show." ContentLora, updated Oct 11, 2026. https://contentlora.com/explain/child-protection-explained

    Spotted an error? Suggest a correction or emailcorrections@contentlora.com.

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