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What is Child Abuse?
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How is Child Abuse Defined in Federal Law?
Federal legislation provides a foundation for States by identifying a minimum set of acts or
behaviors that define child abuse and neglect. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), (42 U.S.C.A.
§5106g), as amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003, 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.
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.
Statisitics in Cases of Child Maltreatment
Lauer, Robert H., and Jeanette C. Lauer. Marriage and
Family the Quest for Intimacy. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2004.
"Looking at cases of child maltreatment that are reported to the authorities, we find that 38.1%
of child maltreatment victims are 5 years old or younger (U.S. Bureau of the Census 2001:199). Another fourth are 6-9
years of age and 51% of the victims are female" (370).
"Women are slightly more likely to abuse children than are men, probably because women
are more intensely involved with children (and the rates of child abuse are higher in single-parent, which for the most
part means single-mother, families.) Child abusers tend to have lower self-esteem than others, to define their children
as more troublesome, to have serious financial problems, to have poorer mental health, to have low levels of social support,
and to have a large number of stressor events in their lives (Whipple and Webster-Stratton 1991; Kolko et al. 1993; Wolfner
and Gelles 1993; Coohey 2000). Abusers are also more likely that nonabusers to have been abused themselves as children"
(370).
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Recognizing Child Abuse: Signs and Symptoms
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The following signs may signal the presence of
child abuse or neglect:
The Child:
- Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance.
- Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought
to the parents' attention.
- Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot
be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes.
- Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to
happen.
- Lacks adult supervision.
- Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn.
- Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and
does not want to go home.
The Parent:
- Shows little concern for the child.
- Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the
child's problems in school or at home.
- Asks teachers or other caretakers to use harsh physical discipline
if the child misbehaves.
- Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome.
- Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child
cannot achieve.
- Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction
of emotional needs.
The Parent and Child:
- Rarely touch or look at each other.
- Consider their relationship entirely negative.
- State that they do not like each other.
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Signs Associated with Particular Types of Abuse:
The following are some signs often associated with
particular types of child abuse and neglect: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. It is important to
note, however, these types of abuse are more typically found in combination than alone. A physically abused child, for example,
is often emotionally abused as well, and a sexually abused child also may be neglected.
Signs of Physical Abuse
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the
child:
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Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones,
or black eyes.
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Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after
an absence from school.
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Seems frightened of the parents and protests or
cries when it is time to go home.
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Shrinks at the approach of adults.
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Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver.
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the
parent or other adult caregiver:
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Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation
for the child's injury.
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Describes the child as "evil," or in some other
very negative way.
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Uses harsh physical discipline with the child.
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Has a history of abuse as a child.
Signs of Neglect
Consider the possibility of neglect when the child:
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Is frequently absent from school.
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Begs or steals food or money.
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Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations,
or glasses.
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Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor.
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Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather.
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Abuses alcohol or other drugs.
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States that there is no one at home to provide
care.
Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent
or other adult caregiver:
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Appears to be indifferent to the child.
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Seems apathetic or depressed.
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Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner.
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Is abusing alcohol or other drugs.
Signs of Sexual Abuse
Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the
child:
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Has difficulty walking or sitting.
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Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate
in physical activities.
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Reports nightmares or bedwetting.
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Experiences a sudden change in appetite.
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Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual
sexual knowledge or behavior.
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Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease,
particularly if under age 14.
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Runs away.
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Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult
caregiver.
Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the
parent or other adult caregiver:
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Is unduly protective of the child or severely limits
the child's contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex.
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Is secretive and isolated.
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Is jealous or controlling with family members.
Signs of Emotional Maltreatment
Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment
when the child:
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Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant
or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression.
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Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other
children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example).
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Is delayed in physical or emotional development.
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Has attempted suicide.
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Reports a lack of attachment to the parent.
Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment
when the parent or other adult caregiver:
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Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child.
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Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider
offers of help for the child's problems.
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Overtly rejects the child.
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