WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT?

*The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), as amended and reauthorized by the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010, defines child abuse and neglect as, at a minimum, “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation (including sexual abuse as determined under section 111), or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm” (42 U.S.C. 5101 note, § 3).

*The information below is provided by Prevent Child Abuse America and "Acts of Omission" and "Risk Factors That Contribute to Child Abuse and Neglect" by the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

WHY SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT CHILD ABUSE?

Recognizing child abuse is the first step in helping abused children. There are several different kinds of child abuse: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional maltreatment. Typically an abused child will experience more than one type of abuse. For example, a physically abused child is often emotionally maltreated as well, and a sexually abused child may be also neglected. Any child at any age may experience any of the types of child abuse. Children under age five are less likely to be physically abused and suffer moderate injury than children over age five .

For State-specific laws pertaining to child abuse and neglect, see Child Welfare Information Gateway’s State Statutes Search page.

WHO ARE THE ABUSERS?

Typically, the abuser is a family member, who acts in a care giving role. 

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when a parent or other adult caregiver exhibits the following:
  • Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child’s injury or provides an explanation that is not consistent with the injury
  • Shows little concern for the child
  • Sees the child as entirely bad, burdensome, or worthless
  • Uses harsh physical discipline with the child
  • Has a history of abusing animals or pets

Consider the possibility of neglect when a parent or other caregiver exhibits the following:
  • Appears to be indifferent to the child
  • Seems apathetic or depressed
  • Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner
  • Abuses alcohol or other drugs

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when a parent or other caregiver exhibits the following (RAINN, 2018b):
  • Tries to be the child’s friend rather than assume an adult role
  • Makes up excuses to be alone with the child
  • Talks with the child about the adult’s personal problems or relationships

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the parent or other adult caregiver exhibits the following:
  • Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child
  • Describes the child negatively
  • Overtly rejects the child

SIGNS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE

A child who exhibits the following signs may be a victim of physical abuse:
  • Has unexplained injuries, such as burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes
  • Has fading bruises or other noticeable marks after an absence from school
  • Seems scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn, or aggressive. Seems frightened of his or her parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home
  • Shrinks at the approach of adults
  • Shows changes in eating and sleeping habits
  • Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver
  • Abuses animals or pets

SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

A child who exhibits the following signs may be a victim of sexual abuse:
  • Has difficulty walking or sitting
  • Experiences bleeding, bruising, or swelling in their private parts
  • Suddenly refuses to go to school
  • Reports nightmares or bedwetting
  • Experiences a sudden change in appetite
  • Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
  • Becomes pregnant or contracts a sexually transmitted disease, particularly if under age 14
  • Runs away
  • Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver
  • Attaches very quickly to strangers or new adults in their environment

WHY SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT NEGLECT?

The Federal Child Abuse Prevention Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines neglect as "Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker that presents an imminent risk of serious harm to the child."

These are the basic types of neglect from the "Acts of Omission" fact sheet by the Child Welfare Information Gateway:
  • Physical Neglect: Not caring for a child’s basic needs like hygiene, clothing, nutrition, or shelter, or abandoning a child.
  • Medical Neglect: Denying or delaying necessary or recommended medical treatment.
  • Inadequate Supervision: Leaving a child who can’t care for herself home alone, not protecting a child from safety hazards, or leaving the child with inadequate caregivers.
  • Emotional Neglect: Exposing a child to domestic violence or substance abuse, or not providing affection or emotional support.
  • Educational Neglect: Failing to enroll a child in school, allowing a child to repeatedly skip school, or ignoring a child’s special education needs.

The following factors have been found to increase children’s risk of being neglected:
  • Environmental Factors: Poverty, lack of social support, neighborhood distress
  • Family Factors: Single-parent households, domestic violence, family stress
  • Parent Factors: Unemployment, low socioeconomic status, young maternal age, parenting stress, health issues, mental illness, substance abuse issues
  • Child Factors: Developmental delays

SIGNS OF NEGLECT

A child who exhibits the following signs may be a victim of neglect:
  • Is frequently absent from school
  • Begs or steals food or money. Lacks needed medical care (including immunizations), dental care, or glasses)
  • Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
  • Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
  • Abuses alcohol or other drugs
  • States that there is no one at home to provide care

SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL MALTREATMENT

A child who exhibits the following signs may be a victim of emotional maltreatment:
  • Shows extremes in behavior, such as being overly compliant or demanding, extremely passive, or aggressive
  • Is either inappropriately adult (e.g., parenting other children) or inappropriately infantile (e.g., frequently rocking or head-banging)
  • Is delayed in physical or emotional development
  • Shows signs of depression or suicidal thoughts
  • Reports an inability to develop emotional bonds with others

RECOGNIZING SIGNS OF ABUSE & NEGLECT AND WHEN TO REPORT

Concerned Citizens
  • It is important to recognize high-risk situations and the signs and symptoms of maltreatment. If you suspect a child is being harmed, reporting your suspicions may protect him or her and help the family receive assistance. Any concerned person can report suspicions of child abuse or neglect. Reporting your concerns is not making an accusation; rather, it is a request for an investigation and assessment to determine if help is needed.

​Mandated Reporters
  • Some people (typically certain types of professionals, such as teachers or physicians) are required by State laws to report child maltreatment under specific circumstances. Some States require all adults to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect. Individuals required to report maltreatment are called mandatory reporters. Information Gateway’s Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect discusses the laws that designate groups of professionals or individuals as mandatory reporters.
Report suspected cases of child abuse to social services agencies or the police.
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