Child Maltreatment

Child Maltreatment is the general term used to describe all forms of child abuse and neglect. There is no one commonly accepted definition of "child abuse and neglect." The federal government defines child abuse and neglect in the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act as "the physical and mental injury, sexual abuse, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child under the age of 18 by a person who is responsible for the child’s welfare under circumstances which indicate that the child’s health or welfare is harmed or threatened."

Each state provides its own definition of child abuse and neglect. Physical Abuse Non-accidental physical injury as a result of caretaker acts. Physical abuse frequently includes shaking, slapping, punching, beating, kicking, biting and burning. (for additional information please click Family Abuse)

Sexual Abuse Involvement of dependent, developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities which they do not fully comprehend and to which they are unable to give informed consent. Sexual abuse includes touching, fondling and penetration. (for more information please click Sexual Abuse )

Neglect Failure of caretakers to provide for a child’s fundamental needs. Although neglect can include children’s necessary emotional needs, neglect typically concerns adequate food, housing, clothing, medical care and education.6 (for additional information please click Family Abuse)

Emotional / Psychological Abuse The habitual verbal harassment of a child by disparagement, criticism, threat and ridicule. Emotional or psychological abuse includes behavior that threatens or intimidates a child. It includes threats, name calling, belittling and shaming. (for additional information please click Family Abuse)

End notes (this article in general was taken from the National Association of Council for Children web site)

The following information is adapted from Ventrell, Marvin, "Evolution of the Dependency Component of the Juvenile Court" Children's Legal Rights Journal, Volume 19, Number 4, Winter 1999-2000. 42 U.S.C. § 5102 (1974). See, 1 National Center On Child Abuse And Neglect, Child Abuse And Neglect State Statutes Series (1996) for a compilation of state maltreatment statutes. R. K. Oates, The Spectrum Of Child Abuse (1996). See also Sagatun & Edwards, supra note 10.