What age group is most commonly affected by child abuse and neglect?

Children under the age of 5 are most commonly affected by child abuse and neglect. This age group is particularly vulnerable due to their dependency on adults for care and protection, which can place them at a higher risk of experiencing various forms of abuse. Young children cannot advocate for themselves, making it easier for abusive situations to occur without detection. Various studies and reports from child protection agencies consistently identify infants and toddlers as the most frequently victimized demographic in cases of maltreatment.

In contrast, while older children and adolescents certainly can experience abuse, the statistical data reveals that the highest rates of reported incidents are among very young children. Young adults aged 19 to 24 are generally considered outside the traditional scope of child abuse and neglect statistics, as they are no longer classified as children.