Defining Child Maltreatment

Introduction:

In order to look at the impact of maltreatment on development, you need to have an understanding of how Child Maltreatment is defined. In this unit, you will be learning definitions of Child Maltreatment and some statistics regarding the types and prevalence of abuse both nationally and in Maine.

Abuse and neglect of children occurs in families from all walks of life, and across all socioeconomic, religious, and ethnic groups. There is no single, identifiable cause of child maltreatment; rather, it occurs as a result of an interaction of multiple forces impacting the family. (DePanfilis & Salus, 1992).

But the risk factors are greater in families where parents:

(From the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect 2003: http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov)

• Seem to be having economic, housing or personal problems.
  
• Are isolated from their family or community.
  
• Have difficulty controlling anger or stress.
  
• Are dealing with physical or mental health issues.
  
• Abuse alcohol or drugs.
  
• Appear uninterested in the care, nourishment or safety of their children.

Nationally, in 2001, there were 903,000 substantiated cases of maltreatment of children - the majority of which involved cases of neglect. That means about 12 out of every 1,000 children were victims of abuse or neglect. Additionally, about 1,300 children died from abuse or neglect that year. (From Prevent Child Abuse America: www.preventchildabuse.org)

The full report, "Child Maltreatment 2001," is available at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/publications/cm01/outcover.htm

Child Maltreatment Activity