Child Abuse

Child abuse affects many children of all ages. Learn to recognize the signs of child abuse and what to do if you suspect that a child is being physically, emotionally or sexually abused.

Neglect - Child Neglect and Abuse

Although people usually think of child abuse as someone physically harming a child, it is important to keep in mind that about 60 percent of child abuse cases actually involve neglect.

Although people usually think of child abuse as someone physically harming a child, it is important to keep in mind that about 60 percent of child abuse cases actually involve neglect. It is sometimes easier to see the signs of physical abuse when a child is hit, kicked, or burned, but looking for signs of neglect is important too, as the consequences can be just as tragic.
Neglect Neglect

Neglect is usually defined as depriving a child of adequate:

food clothing shelter supervision medical care education

By not providing for a child's basic needs, this neglect can result in the child's death, serious physical or emotional harm, exploitation, or may put him at an imminent risk of serious harm.
Signs of Neglect

Signs of neglect might include a child who is:

not getting medical attention for a persistent or chronic medical problem, like a cough that lingers for weeks or months, weekly asthma attacks, or untreated skin infections, etc. often playing outside without any supervision left at home without supervision before he feels ready dirty or smells bad (poor hygiene) not usually dressed appropriately for the weather often asking for food or money at school because he is hungry absent from school a lot

A child might also be considered neglected when his emotional needs aren't met and if he doesn't get any love and support at home. Keep in mind that living in poverty doesn't mean that a child is being neglected, as part of the definition is usually that a child is being neglected despite being financially able to do so or after being offered financial assistance.
Reporting Neglect

Like physical or sexual child abuse, people should report when they think a child is being neglected. Most states have a child abuse reporting number or hotline that you can use so that child welfare specialists can investigate suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.

Child Abuse Prevention

Learn about child abuse prevention, recognizing the signs of child abuse, and the devastating effects of child abuse

Child abuse statistics show that about 900,000 children are the victims of child abuse or neglect in the United States each year, and about of these 1,500 children die. Effects of Child Abuse

For the survivors of child abuse, the effects include:

long-term physical problems, including physical disabilities behavioral problems psychological problems difficulties in school and social relationships criminal behavior and a high risk of being arrested for a violent crime as a juvenile or adult

Another big consequence of child abuse is the direct and indirect cost associated with child abuse, which have been estimated to be about $94 billion each year, including child welfare, law enforcement and special education.
Child Abuse Prevention

One good way to prevent child abuse is to recognize risk factors that are associated with child abuse, including:

substance abuse domestic violence

a personal history of child abuse poverty lack of parenting skills a small social support network

And then, in addition to supporting programs that target those high risk groups to prevent child abuse, such as education programs, parent support groups, and mentoring, some good child abuse prevention strategies include learning the signs of child abuse and how to report suspected child abuse. Groups that support child abuse prevention that you could get involved with include:

Child Abuse - Child Abuse Cases and Stories

These child abuse cases and stories straight from the headlines of recent newspapers can help to highlight how common child abuse is so that everyone may be more likely to report suspected child abuse and neglect.

People often think that child abuse is something that happens in other families and other neighborhoods, but not close to them. Unfortunately, child abuse statistics show that:

just over 1,500 children die each year in the United States from child abuse and neglect 905,000 children were the victims of child abuse in 2006 70 percent of child abuse victims are under age three years old over 80 percent of the abused children were abused by one the child's parent neglect is the most common form of child abuse, followed by physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and lastly, medical neglect

Most importantly, everyone should be aware that victims of child abuse come from all socioeconomic backgrounds, living situations, and races.
Child Abuse Cases and Stories

These child abuse cases and stories straight from the headlines of recent newspapers can help to highlight how common child abuse is so that everyone may be more likely to report suspected child abuse and neglect:

Neglect - Feb. 2009 - A mother in Dallas, Texas, was charged with neglect after her nine-year-old died from complications of diabetes after she failed to help her manage her disease. Physical/Emotional Abuse - June 2008 - A mother in North Central Texas has her three children taken away because of a case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Physical Abuse - Jan. 2009 - Two parents in Dallas, Texas, were charged with abusing their sixmonth-old infant so severely that he was in intensive care and it was thought that he was not going to be able to recover.

Physical Abuse - Jan. 2009 - A mother's boyfriend was charged with the death of her six-year-old son. Physical Abuse - Dec. 2008 - A father was charged with the death of his three-month-old infant who was found unresponsive, with bone fractures and liver lacerations. Physical Abuse - Feb. 2009 - A father in Lodi, California, was charged with physical abuse after a school employee noticed and reported burns on a six-year old student, which were thought to have been inflicted by a clothes iron. She had also been beaten with a stick and her mother was charged with child endangerment. Physical Abuse - Feb. 2009 - A mother and her live-in boyfriend in Janesville, Wisconsin, were charged with abuse after repeatedly hitting her three-year-old daughter to the point that she required emergency brain surgery. Physical Abuse - Feb. 2009 - The boyfriend of a child's mother in Wilmington, Delaware, hit and killed a 16-month old girl because she wouldn't stop crying. Physical Abuse - Feb. 2009 - A nine-year-old was beaten by his mother's boyfriend in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Physical Abuse - Jan. 2009 - In Fall River, Massachusetts, a mother was charged with burning her four-year-old foster son with a curling iron, causing third-degree burns that required skin graft surgery.

What Are the Major Types of Child Abuse and Neglect?

Within the minimum standards set by CAPTA, each State is responsible for providing its own definitions of child abuse and neglect. Most States recognize four major types of maltreatment: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. Although any of the forms of child maltreatment may be found separately, they often occur in combination. The examples provided below are for general informational purposes only. Not all States' definitions will include all of the examples listed below, and individual States' definitions may cover additional situations not mentioned here. Neglect is failure to provide for a child's basic needs. Neglect may be:

Physical (e.g., failure to provide necessary food or shelter, or lack of appropriate supervision) Medical (e.g., failure to provide necessary medical or mental health treatment) Educational (e.g., failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs) Emotional (e.g., inattention to a child's emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care, or permitting the child to use alcohol or other drugs)

These situations do not always mean a child is neglected. Sometimes cultural values, the standards of care in the community, and poverty may be contributing factors, indicating the family is in need of information or assistance. When a family fails to use information and resources, and the child's health or safety is at risk, then child welfare intervention may be required.

Physical Abuse is physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a

hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a child. Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caretaker intended to hurt the child. Sexual Abuse includes activities by a parent or caretaker such as fondling a child's genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials. Emotional Abuse is a pattern of behavior that impairs a child's emotional development or sense of self-worth. This may include constant criticism, threats, or rejection, as well as withholding love, support, or guidance. Emotional abuse is often difficult to prove and, therefore, CPS may not be able to intervene without evidence of harm to the child. Emotional abuse is almost always present when other forms are identified.