Child Abuse

Definitions

Every state in the United States has a legal definition for child abuse and neglect based on the federal definitions cited in the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1973 (CAPTA, 42 U.S.C.A. x 5106g) and as amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003. Child abuse is defined as any act on the part of a parent, caregiver, or other individual that results in physical and/or psychological injury, or that can present a risk of serious harm to a child under the age of 18. Such acts include sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, and failure to act to protect the child if the abuse is witnessed. Neglect occurs when there is failure to provide for a child's basic needs for food, shelter, medical care, or appropriate supervision. Neglect includes failure to educate a child or attend to the child's educational needs, failure to provide psychological care, and knowingly permitting a child to use illegal substances (e.g., alcohol, illicit drugs).

Incidence of Child Abuse and Fatalities

The National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS) was mandated by the U.S. Congress to document and report on the incidence of child abuse and neglect. The most recent report, NIS-3 by Andrea Sedlack and Diane Broadhurst, covered a 7-year period and reported an increase in child abuse from previous years. Approximately 1.5 million U.S. children were abused or neglected during this period; physical abuse almost doubled and sexual abuse more than doubled. The most recent statistics available from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) estimated 872,000 victims of child abuse in 2004; 1,490 of these were child fatalities (death of a child caused by injury from abuse or neglect); approximately 60% were victims of neglect, 19% suffered physical abuse, and 10% suffered sexual abuse. Children ages 4 or younger are most vulnerable because they are unable to defend themselves or seek help. Based on data from 32 states, 81% of the children who died were younger than 4, 11.5% were 4–7 years of age, 4.1% were 8–11 years of age, and 3.4% were 12–17 years of age.

The NIS-3 study identified factors that contributed to the highest incidences of abuse. These included the child's gender and age, family income, and family size. Race was not a significant factor found. There is little reporting of sexual abuse in children under the age of 3; however, the numbers begin to rise from preschool onward. Girls are more at risk for sexual abuse than boys; boys are more vulnerable to other forms of abuse that result in serious injury or death. Family characteristics contribute to higher incidences of child abuse. Children from single-parent homes have a higher risk of physical abuse and neglect than children living with intact families. Children who live in poverty or come from large families are more at risk of all types of child maltreatment.

...