Other notes:  (1) this study was limited to families with children under 18 years old. It found that children over age 5 are much less likely to be abused in stepfamilies than those aged 0-4.  It also found (2) that stepparent families are less likely than single-parent homes to have a child under 18 who commits a criminal offense. And (3) low income and low maternal age at the child's birth were associated with abuse in their study. Finally (4), these interviews were with the natural parent(s) who might not want to bring up any felony-level sexual or physical abuse. It's logical to assume that the true abuse figures are higher for every type of family. Still, even using the figures from adults who report their childhood abuse, the fact remains that the vast majority of stepfamilies are not abusive.

CONCLUSION: Are my children likely to be abused if I divorce and date or remarry?  No. 

Research shows that the majority of stepparents and romantic partners are not abusive to children. Are there some? Yes, far too many. According to the NIS-4 study, about 5 in 100 of these new relationships were found to meet their criteria of "abusive."

But abused wives (or abused husbands) who stay with a toxic spouse just because they fear abuse in a future relationship, need to know that social media fear-mongers are trying to scare you into staying in a destructive marriage.  Both studies (the NIS-4 study and the Daly & Wilson study) found that most new partners do not fall into the abusive category.

IMPORTANT NOTE: These interviews were with the children's natural parent(s) who probably did not disclose felony-level sexual or physical abuse going on in their home. So it is logical to assume that the true abuse figures are higher for every type of family. So you should keep your eyes open and take precautions if you date and remarry. Studies of adult children of both biological AND step-families report incest at higher levels than the NIS-4 and Daly and Wilson studies. In one older study, the 1984 Russel study, 17% of women brought up in stepparent families reported being sexually abused in childhood. That's one in six. So be cautious! Watch for red flags and don't be afraid to end a relationship that doesn't feel safe.

Are some biological married parents destructive? Yes, and while most parents are not abusive, some are. Newer research has found that an abusive biological parent (father or mother) can be very destructive to children who reside in the same home, even causing children to develop conduct disorders.  (See the Jaffee study summary.) Research also shows that while divorce can harm children, it also shows that abuse is worse for children's wellbeing than divorce, up to 10 times worse.

What Are Risk Factors Child Sexual Abuse?

Being in a Home where the Children/Parents Are Already Being Abused

According to the abstract of Assink 2019 "Risk factors for child sexual abuse victimization: A meta-analytic review." child sexual abuse is more likely in the following situations (starting with the highest risk factor):

—1.  The highest risk: If the child or sibling have been sexually abused in the past (r = .360)

—2. If the child or siblings have been victimized in other ways. (r = .340)

—3. Low quality of parent–child relation (r = .292)

—4. The child being female (r = .290)

—5. Prior or concurrent forms of child abuse in the child’s home environment (r = .267). In other words, if it is happening now or has happened, it is is more likely to happen again.

—6. A parent who has a history of child abuse victimization (r = .265)

—7. Child problems, such as a child with a mental/physical chronic condition (r = .193)

—8. Family problems, such as social isolation (r = .191)

—9. Intimate partner violence. One parent abusing the other parent. (r = .188) In other words, if one parent is abusive to the other, the risk to the children is higher too.

—10. Non-nuclear family structure. Example: having a stepfather. (r = .118)

Being in an abusive home is the highest risk for a child, especially daughters.  Notice that being in a stepfamily is down at #10. It is not at the top of the list. It is a risk, but homes where there is already child abuse or spousal abuse are the most risky for child sexual abuse. 

Of course, a single mother or father always has the option of raising their children alone, which can be a good option especially if loving grandparents or friends live nearby.

If you are in a toxic marriage, you can weigh the risks yourself:

Protect yourself and your kids. Stay single or remarry.