Abuse can happen to anyone, but research shows that some groups are more vulnerable to experiencing abuse than others. Understanding the risk factors for abuse can help raise awareness and prevent future victimization.
Children
Children are at high risk for experiencing abuse. This includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 7 children have experienced abuse and/or neglect in the past year.1 Rates of child abuse are highest among children under age 5.
Child abuse most often occurs from a parent or caregiver, but can also be perpetrated by other family members, teachers, coaches, and acquaintances. Abuse often goes unreported due to the inability of young children to recognize abuse or disclose it.
Risk factors
- Age – younger children at higher risk
- Disability – 2-3 times higher risk compared to children without disabilities
- Family dysfunction – domestic violence, substance abuse, poverty
- Caregiver stress – caregiver’s lack of understanding of child development or inability to cope with stress
Women
Women and girls are more likely to experience certain forms of abuse compared to men. These include:
- Intimate partner violence – 1 in 4 women have experienced severe physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.2 Women are much more likely to be victims of intimate partner violence compared to men.
- Sexual violence – 1 in 5 women have been victims of completed or attempted rape in their lifetime.3 The perpetrator is often someone known to the victim.
- Sex trafficking – The vast majority (80-90%) of sex trafficking victims are women and girls.4
Risk factors
- Young age
- Low income or poverty
- Lack of access to resources or support systems
- Living in an abusive relationship
- History of past abuse
Elderly
Elder abuse is an underrecognized problem that affects about 10% of older Americans every year. Over 2/3 of perpetrators are family members of the victim.5 The most common types of elder abuse include:
- Financial exploitation
- Neglect
- Psychological or emotional abuse
- Physical or sexual abuse
Signs of elder abuse include bruises, anxiety or depression, changes in financial situation, and sudden changes in wills or property ownership.
Risk factors
- Social isolation or loneliness
- Dementia or cognitive impairment
- Poor physical health
- Dependency on caregiver for needs
Individuals with disabilities
Adults and children with disabilities are significantly more likely to experience violence or abuse compared to their peers without disabilities. According to a 2017 study, 1 in 3 adults with a disability reported some form of contact sexual violence during their lifetime.6 Individuals with disabilities are also at very high risk for financial exploitation and neglect.
Risk factors
- Communication difficulties
- Social isolation
- Dependency on caregiver for needs
- Difficulty detecting or reporting abuse
LGBTQ individuals
Those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) are at increased risk for certain types of abuse. According to the CDC, 46% of bisexual women have been raped, compared to 17% of heterosexual women.7 Transgender individuals are also disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence.
Risk factors
- Discrimination, stigma, or lack of acceptance
- Isolation from family/community
- Power dynamics in relationships
People of marginalized racial/ethnic groups
Individuals from marginalized racial or ethnic groups may be at higher risk for abuse due to systemic discrimination and disadvantage. For example, Native American women are more than twice as likely to experience sexual assault compared to the national average.8 Immigrants and undocumented individuals are also vulnerable to abuse due to fears of deportation.
Risk factors
- Poverty
- Language barriers
- Fears related to immigration status
- Cultural barriers
- Lack of access to support systems
Those with history of past abuse
Having a history of experiencing abuse makes someone more likely to be re-victimized in the future. According to the CDC, about 1/3 of female rape victims were first raped between ages 11-17.9 Early exposure to violence establishes a pattern that can continue into adulthood and across relationships.
Those dependent on caregiver
When an individual relies on a caregiver or other person for basic needs, an imbalance of power is created in the relationship. The dependency makes the person vulnerable to abuse or exploitation from the caregiver. This dynamic occurs frequently among children and elderly individuals requiring care, as well as adults with disabilities.
Conclusion
While abuse can affect anyone, these high risk groups are particularly vulnerable. Understanding and addressing risk factors through appropriate education, resources, support networks, and policies is crucial to preventing abuse.
Advocating for the needs of high-risk populations and helping to empower vulnerable individuals is key. With compassion, vigilance, and social change, we can work to create a society where abuse and victimization are not tolerated.
References
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Preventing child abuse & neglect. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/fastfact.html
2 Black, M.C. et al. (2011). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 summary report. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_report2010-a.pdf
3 Smith, S.G. et al. (2018). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2015 data brief – updated release. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/2015data-brief508.pdf
4 Polaris Project. (2019). The facts. https://polarisproject.org/facts
5 National Center on Elder Abuse. (2022). Elder abuse facts. https://ncea.acl.gov/What-We-Do/Research/Statistics-and-Data/Elder-Abuse-Facts.aspx
6 Hughes, R.B. et al. (2017). Health behaviors of women with physical disabilities: sexual assault, STIs, and contraception. Journal of Women’s Health, 26(4), 398-407. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2016.5840
7 Walters, M.L., Chen J., & Breiding, M.J. (2013). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 findings on victimization by sexual orientation. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_sofindings.pdf
8 Rosay, A.B. (2016). Violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men. National Institute of Justice Journal, 277. https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/violence-against-american-indian-and-alaska-native-women-and-men
9 Smith, S.G., Zhang, X., Basile, K.C., Merrick, M.T., Wang, J., Kresnow, M., Chen, J. (2018). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2015 data brief – updated release. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.