Child Abuse and Neglect

by Marianne Cook, LICSW, Clinician, Harvard University Mental Health Service

Three million children are reported abused or neglected in the United States each year, and 3 children die every day in this country due to abuse or neglect. Child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological. Although children of all ages can be victims of abuse and neglect, children under the age of one are most often victimized. Children with disabilities are disproportionally abused and neglected.

Looking closer, it is important to clearly understand the categories of Child Abuse and Neglect:

Neglect is the most commonly reported form of child maltreatment. Neglect is when a child’s basic needs are not met. It can include lack of food, shelter, medical care, clothing, hygiene, supervision, education, and support for disabilities.

Physical Abuse is when a child is intentionally physically harmed. It can include hitting, slapping, biting, burning, beating, or otherwise injuring the child. As with other forms of child maltreatment, the definition of physical abuse varies by state, and some states allow for more physical discipline of children than others do.

Sexual Abuse is when a child engages in a sexual situation with an adult or older child. This can mean direct sexual contact in the form of intercourse or genital contact; in also includes the involvement of children in sexual activities, such as making a child watch sexual acts or participate in pornography. Children are not always forced into sexual abuse—they may also be persuaded, bribed, or tricked. State law varies regarding sexual activities between minors.

Emotional/Psychological Abuse is when a parent regularly belittles, threatens, blames, humiliates, berates, ignores, or otherwise inflicts emotional/psychological harm on the child. This type of abuse can be extremely damaging to the child even if it does not leave physical injuries.

Anyone can report suspected child maltreatment by calling the Child Protective Services in their state. (In Massachusetts, this is called the Department of Children and Families; the hotline is listed under Resources.) Most professionals who work with children are mandated by law to report suspected abuse or neglect. To learn about recognizing signs of abuse and neglect, click here: www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm.

The information in the article above was drawn from the following sources:

• American Academy of Pediatrics (2009). Children’s Health Topics: Child abuse and neglect.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2006). Child Maltreatment. Retrieved March 2009.

Additional Sources of Information

New York Times Health Guides:

• Child Neglect and Psychological Abuse
• Child Abuse: Physical
• Child Abuse: Sexual