The abuse and neglect of children in the United States is epidemic. Approximately 3 million reports of child abuse and neglect are made each year. Three children die every day at the hands of their parents or caretakers.
- Neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment, affecting 57% of abuse victims.
- 52% of reported abuse victims are between ages 8 and 17.
- In 2003, there were 1,500 reported deaths of abuse and neglect victims.
Source: Juvenile Offenders and Victims: A National Report, National Center for Juvenile Justice (2006)
Abuse may be:
• physical (acts that cause physical injury)
• sexual (sexual activity that provides gratification or financial benefit to the perpetrator, or the person committing the abuse, such as sexual conduct, prostitution, pornography, or sexual exploitation), or
• emotional (acts or omissions that cause mental disorders in a child).
Neglect may be:
• physical (including abandonment and/or failure to provide supervision, health care, adequate food, clothing, or shelter)
• emotional (including inadequate nurturance, or a disregard for a child′s emotional or developmental needs), or
• educational (including permitting chronic truancy or otherwise disregarding the child′s educational needs).
Child abuse and neglect are against the law. If you witness or hear about an incident of abuse or neglect, you should report it to the police or Child Protective Services (CPS). Every state has mandatory reporting laws spelling out the legal obligations of teachers, doctors, social workers, and anyone responsible for children. An adult who fails to report suspected abuse or neglect of a child has violated the law.
CPS is an agency of state government charged with the duty to investigate abuse, neglect, and abandonment cases. In most states, CPS provides services to families to help them to solve their problems and stay together. For example, parents may discipline their child, but if the punishments are excessive, leaving welts or bruises, the police and courts may get involved to protect the child. If a child is removed from the home and placed in foster care, services are offered to assist in reuniting the family. If the parents are unsuccessful in their efforts, or if they refuse to cooperate, the child may stay with relatives or remain in foster care or an adoptive home.
If you′re in danger, or you know someone who′s injured or has been abused at home, tell someone you trust. A teacher, school nurse, or police officer will be able to offer assistance. If a friend tells you that he or she has been sexually molested, tell a responsible adult. You′re protected under the law when reporting suspected abuse or neglect. As long as you′re truthful in reporting, the law protects you from being sued.You may also report anonymously (without giving your name), although identifying yourself might help the investigation.
