Child Abuse and Neglect

Sometimes parents, guardians or custodians take actions that create a danger to children in the home. Failure to protect children also may result in their being abused or neglected. There are several types of abuse and neglect:

• Physical abuse includes non-accidental physical injuries such as broken bones, bruises, burns, cut or other injuries.
• Sexual abuse occurs when there is sexual conduct or contact with children. Using children in pornography, prostitution or other types of sexual activity is also sexual abuse.
• Neglect exists when parents, guardians or custodians place children at substantial risk of harm by not providing children with adequate food, clothing, shelter, supervision or medical care. Neglect includes:
  • Parents leaving a child with no one to care for them or leaving a child with a caretaker and not returning or making other arrangements for their care.
  • Allowing children to live in a hazardous environments.
  • Using a child for material gain including forcing a child to panhandle, steal or perform other illegal activities.
• Emotional abuse or neglect occurs when a child suffers severe anxiety, withdrawal, depression or other severe emotional disturbance due to acts or omissions by the parent or caretaker.