New Landmark Report, Supported by World Childhood Foundation USA, Finds All 50 States Fail to Protect Children from Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Key Findings Unveiled at Panel Discussion Moderated by ABC News’ Byron Pitts, Featuring Actor and Advocate Anthony Edwards

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Childhood Foundation USA, the country’s pioneering nonprofit in the fight against child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE), announces the release of the 2025 United States Out of the Shadows Index (OOSI), developed and researched by Economist Impact. The report is the first comprehensive state-by-state assessment of U.S. efforts to prevent and respond to CSAE. The report delivers a stark warning: America is failing its children.

The Index gives the U.S. an average score of just 49.9 out of 100 — a failing grade. Drawing on more than 170 indicators across legal protections, prevention capacity building, survivor support, and justice system capacity, it evaluates and compares state-level actions -- and inactions -- to address CSAE. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys experience sexual abuse before age 18.

Only five states (Washington, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, and Oregon) and the District of Columbia scored above a failing grade. The findings highlight widespread fragmentation, inconsistent policies, lack of coordinated leadership, outdated statutes, and insufficient investment continue to leave millions of children vulnerable.

“This report is a wake-up call -- and a critical call to action. CSAE is one of the most under-addressed threats to children’s safety and well-being. We must do better and replace piecemeal approaches with a coordinated, trauma-informed national response,” said Mary L. Pulido, PhD, Executive Director, World Childhood Foundation USA. “Our children are depending on us.”

The report highlights the key findings from the index and trends across all 50 states and D.C., followed by thematic issue briefs that explore key areas identified as requiring urgent attention.

Key Highlights Include:

• Prevention Failure: Only 1 in 5 states has an action plan to prevent child sexual abuse. Fewer than 40 percent require standardized processes for screening, hiring and dismissing school personnel involved in sexual misconduct.

• Inconsistent Training and Education: Only 15 states and D.C. mandate consent education; only 10 percent require comprehensive sex education. Just 24 states and D.C. require schools to provide specific training for school employees on child sexual abuse awareness and prevention.

• Online Harms Escalating: Recent research suggests nearly 1 in 6 youth experience technology-facilitated abuse before age 18. In 2025, states have introduced over 300 bills addressing children’s online safety, but gaps remain in ensuring evidence-based, rights-protecting solutions, particularly as generative AI fuels the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

• Children’s Advocacy Centers Under Strain: Though every state has centers to coordinate child-centered investigations, many face severe funding shortfalls, jeopardizing their ability to meet growing demand.

• Patchwork Legal Frameworks: Many states lack clarity in child sexual grooming laws, allow child marriage under exceptions, or continue to use harmful terms like “child pornography,” which perpetuate stigma.

• Justice Barriers for Survivors: Outdated statutes of limitations and restrictive victim compensation rules continue to block many survivors from accessing justice and healing.

Call to Action

The Index outlines a clear roadmap for reform, calling for stronger anti-grooming legislation and harmonized definitions across states, as well as raising the minimum marriage age to 18 without exception. It emphasizes the need for mandatory prevention education and professional training nationwide. To meet the challenges of the digital era, the Index urges modernization of laws to address online harms, education for young people and training of law enforcement. Finally, it stresses the importance of ensuring stable, long-term funding for children’s advocacy centers, where trauma-informed, survivor-centered services are crucial, and coordinated interagency responses.

Data Presentation

Childhood USA hosted an event to present the U.S. OOSI on October 16, 2025 at Polsinelli Law, in New York City. Economist Impact’s OOSI Project Manager, Laura Avery, detailed the key findings, followed by a panel discussion moderated by ABC News’ Byron Pitts. Panelists included: Actor and survivor Anthony Edwards (“ER” and “Top Gun”), Former Florida Senator Lauren Book, survivor and advocate Aaron Stone, and Mary L. Pulido, PhD. Together, they discussed the urgent need for policy reforms and actionable solutions to better protect children nationwide.

The U.S. Out of the Shadows Index was also supported by the Carlson Company and Carlson Family Foundation. Full report.

About World Childhood Foundation USA

Founded by H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden, World Childhood Foundation USA works to protect children from sexual abuse, exploitation, and violence. Childhood USA partners with civil society, government, and the private sector to promote innovative and effective child protection programs across the United States and worldwide.