Child Abuse and Neglect

Every little soul should be watered with love and care.

Every 10 Seconds

A report of child abuse is made.*

5 Children Die

from abuse and neglect in the United States every day.

3/4

of all child fatalities were younger than 3 years old.**

30%

of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the cycle of violence.***

Children who experience child domestic violence are …

50 percent more likely to abuse drugs or alcohols, 6 times more likely to commit suicide and 74 percent more likely to commit a crime when they grow up.****

* American Society for the Positive Care of Children

**U.S. Administration for Children & Families, Child Maltreatment

***U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

***Child Domestic Violence Association

What Are Child Abuse and Neglect?

Child abuse is more than bruises and black eyes. While physical abuse might be the most visible, other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse and neglect, also leave deep, lasting scars.

The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines child abuse and neglect as, at 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”; or
  • “An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.”

Generally, the term abuse encompasses the most serious harms committed against children. An “abused child” is a child whose parent or other person legally responsible for his/her care inflicts upon the child serious physical injury, creates a substantial risk of serious physical injury, or commits an act of sex abuse against the child. Not only can a person be abusive to a child if they perpetrate any of these actions against a child in their care, they can be guilty of abusing a child if they allow someone else to do these things to that child.

Maltreatment refers to the quality of care a child is receiving from those responsible for him/her. Maltreatment occurs when a parent or other person legally responsible for the care of a child harms a child, or places a child in imminent danger of harm by failing to exercise the minimum degree of care in providing the child with any of the following: food, clothing, shelter, education or medical care when financially able to do so. Maltreatment can also result from abandonment of a child or from not providing adequate supervision for the child. Further, a child may be maltreated if a parent engages in excessive use of drugs or alcohol such that it interferes with their ability to adequately supervise the child.

Long Term Impacts

The impact of child abuse and neglect is often discussed in terms of physical, psychological, behavioral, and societal consequences. In reality, however, it is impossible to separate the types of impacts. Physical consequences, such as damage to a child’s growing brain, can have psychological implications, such as cognitive delays or emotional difficulties. Psychological problems often manifest as high-risk behaviors. Depression and anxiety, for example, may make a person more likely to smoke, abuse alcohol or drugs, or overeat. High-risk behaviors, in turn, can lead to long-term physical health problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, and obesity. Not all children who have been abused or neglected will experience long term consequences, but they may have an increased susceptibility.

Risk factors for child abuse and neglect

While child abuse and neglect occurs in all types of families, children are at a much greater risk in certain situations.

Domestic violence. Studies have shown that nine out of ten children who were raised in homes with domestic violence faced abuse. Even if the abused parent does their best to protect their children, the situation is still extremely damaging.

Alcohol and drug abuse. Parents who are drunk or high are unable to care for their children, make good parenting decisions, and control often-dangerous impulses. Substance abuse can also lead to physical abuse.

Untreated mental illness. Parents who are suffering from mental illness have trouble taking care of themselves, much less their children. A mentally ill or traumatized parent may be distant and withdrawn from their children, or quick to anger without understanding why. Treatment for the caregiver means better care for the children.

Stress and lack of support. Parenting can be a very time-intensive, difficult job, especially if you’re raising children without support from family and friends, or you’re dealing with relationship problems or financial difficulties. Caring for a child with a disability, special needs, or difficult behaviors is also a challenge. It’s important to get the support you need, so you are emotionally and physically able to support your child.

Protective Factors

Research shows that parents and caregivers who have support—from family, friends, neighbors, and their communities—are more likely to provide safe and healthy homes for their children. When parents lack this support or feel isolated, they may be more likely to make poor decisions that can lead to neglect or abuse. Increasingly, concerned citizens and organizations are realizing that the best way to prevent child maltreatment is to help parents develop the skills and identify the resources they need to understand and meet their children’s emotional, physical, and developmental needs and protect their children from harm.

The following six protective factors have been linked to a lower incidence of child abuse and neglect:

  1. Nurturing and attachment: When parents and children have strong, warm feelings for one another, children develop trust that their parents will provide what they need to thrive.
  2. Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development: Parents who understand how children grow and develop and know the typical developmental milestones can provide an environment where children can live up to their potential.
  3. Parental resilience: Parents who are emotionally resilient have a positive attitude, creatively problem solve, effectively address challenges, and are less likely to direct anger and frustration at their children.
  4. Social connections: Trusted and caring family friends provide emotional support to parents by offering encouragement and assistance in facing the daily challenges of raising a family.
  5. Concrete supports for parents. Parents need basic resources such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, and access to essential services that address family-specific needs (such as child care, health care, and mental health services) to ensure the health and well-being of their children.
  6. Social and emotional competence: Children with the ability to positively interact with others, self-regulate their behaviors, and communicate their feelings have relationships that are more positive with family, friends, and peers. Children without these competencies may be at greater risk for abuse.

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