Child Abuse and Maltreatment

Definitions for child abuse and maltreatment vary across jurisdictions. In general, child maltreatment includes physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, in addition to neglect (where neglect refers to the failure of a parent to provide for a child's development when in a financial position to do so) (World Report on Violence and Health, 2002). Federal law defines child abuse and neglect as any recent act, or failure to act, on the part of a parent or caretaker that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or an act or failure to act that presents an imminent risk of serious harm to a child.

In addition to defining acts or omissions that cause harm or threat of harm to a child, several statutes specifically describe the persons who are reportable to child protective services under civil child abuse reporting laws (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2005).

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) considers child abuse and maltreatment a form of family violence. As such, child abuse falls under NIJ's Violence Against Women and Family Violence Research and Evaluation Program. Other types of family violence that are included in NIJ's portfolio include elder abuse and intimate partner violence.

The World Health Organization and International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect released a report, Preventing Child Maltreatment (WHO and ISPCAN, 2006), about child abuse and prevention efforts worldwide including case studies, epidemiology, and assessment tools.