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Child abuse

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Child abuse is the physical or psychological maltreatment of a child by an adult, often synonymous with the term child maltreatment or the term child abuse and neglect.

There are many forms of abuse and neglect and many governments have developed their own legal definition of what constitutes child maltreatment for the purposes of removing a child and/or prosecuting a criminal charge. In the United States, the Federal Government puts out a full definition of child abuse and neglect and creates a summary of each State definition. To view, go to Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect: Summary of State Laws [1] that is part of the 2005 State Statute series by the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information.


Understanding and preventing child abuse and neglect

Causes

Circumstances that place families under extraordinary stress - for instance, poverty, divorce, sickness, disability, lack of parental skills - sometimes take their toll in child maltreatment. Many of these factors may contribute to family stress that can result in child abuse or neglect. Understanding the root causes of abuse can help better determine the best methods of prevention and treatment. Most parents don't hurt or neglect their children intentionally. Many were themselves abused or neglected. Parents who abuse alcohol or other drugs are more likely to abuse or neglect their children.

Prevention

Given these possible causes, most professionals agree that there are three levels of prevention services; primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary prevention.

Primary Prevention

Primary prevention consists of activities that are targeted toward the community at large. These activities are meant to impact families prior to any allegations of abuse and neglect. Primary prevention services include public education activities, parent education classes that are open to anyone in the community, and family support programs. Primary prevention can be difficult to measure because you are attempting to impact something before it happens, an unknown variable.

Secondary Prevention

Secondary prevention consists of activities targeted to families that have one or more risk factors including families with substance abuse, teen parents, parents of special need children, single parents, and low income families. Secondary prevention services include parent education classes targeted for high risk parents, respite care for parents of a child with a disability, or home visiting programs for new parents.

Tertiary Prevention

Tertiary prevention consists of activities targeted to families that have confirmed or unconfirmed child abuse and neglect reports. These families have already demonstrated the need for intervention, either with or without court supervision.


Reporting of Child Abuse

Authorities

Main article: Child Protective Services

Depending on the country, the agencies responsible for investigating child abuse may be run nationally, regionally, or locally. These agencies may be called Child Protective Services (CPS), Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), or by other similar names. In the U.S., these agencies are usually listed in the state government section of the telephone book under "Children" or "Health" or "Human Services". In a few instances in the U.S., some of the functions of these agencies are outsourced to private individuals or companies.

People who investigate claims of child abuse may be called a "children's social worker" (CSW) or a case worker.

Reporting abuse and neglect in Australia

Child abuse and neglect is the subject of mandatory reporting in most Australian jurisdictions. Usually professional people such as doctors, nurses and teachers are bound to report strong evidence of abuse or neglect. State authorities, such as the Child Protection Unit of the Department of Human Services (Victoria), have statutory authority to investigate and deal with child abuse.

Reporting abuse and neglect in United Kingdom

Childline is a telephone contact agency provided for children to discuss any concerns they have with a team of trained volunteers.

NSPCC is the umbrella organisation now funding this project. The NSPCC also provides a telephone helpline for anyone to contact professionally trained social workers regarding concerns about children, as well as a variety of other projects.

The NSPCC forward any concerns they receive on to the relevant Local Authority (where the child concerned lives) which would then make enquiries regarding those concerns.

Reporting abuse and neglect in Canada

The Childrens' Help Line can be reached toll-free for either parents with questions and concerns, or children, at +1-(800)-668-6868, 24/7.

Notable incidents of child abuse

See also

References


On the history of child abuse and attempts to protect children, see Linda Gordon, "Heroes of Their Own Lives: The Politics and History of Family Violence," NY, Penguin, 1988, and Champaign, IL., Univ. of Illinois Press, 2003.

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