Child Abuse

Definitions of Child Abuse

In the United States, federal legislation establishes the minimum standards for the definition of child abuse and neglect that states must incorporate as part of their definitions. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) (42 U.S.C.A. x5106g) defines child abuse and neglect as

• a recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm. (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2005, p. 1)

Some states define child abuse and neglect as a single concept, while other states include definitions for several categories of abuse and neglect. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect are included in definitions of child abuse in all states. Physical abuse is generally defined as a nonaccidental physical injury to the child or any action that results in a physical impairment. Sexual abuse includes

• the employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct or simulation of such conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct; or the rape, and in cases of caretaker or interfamilial relationships, statutory rape, molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children, or incest with children. (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2005, p. 1)

Neglect generally encompasses failure to provide for no apparent financial reason (deprivation of adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care) and lack of supervision. The majority of states (except Georgia and Washington) include emotional abuse in their definitions, generally defined as damage to the psychological capacity or emotional stability of the child (evidenced by symptoms such as anxiety, depression, aggressive behavior, withdrawal, and other substantial changes in behavior, cognition, or emotional response). Abandonment is included by many states either as part of their definition of neglect (18 states) or as a separate definition (13 states), and it includes

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