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Child Abuse and Neglect

Overview

What is child abuse and neglect?

Child abuse means doing something that hurts a child. Neglect means not giving or doing something that a child needs.

There are different types of abuse and neglect.

Physical abuse.

This includes hitting, kicking, shaking, pinching, and burning. It may leave bruises, cuts, or other marks and cause pain, broken bones, or internal injuries.

Emotional abuse.

This means saying or doing things that make a child feel unloved, unwanted, unsafe, or worthless. It can range from yelling and threatening to ignoring the child and not giving love and support. It may not leave scars you can see, but the damage to a child is just as real.

Sexual abuse.

Any sexual contact between an adult and a child or between an older child and a younger child is sexual abuse. Showing pornography to a child is a type of sexual abuse.

Neglect.

Neglect happens when a child does not get the shelter, schooling, clothing, medical care, or protection that the child needs. Child neglect is just as serious as abuse and is more common.

What can you do if you suspect that a child has been abused or neglected?

When you suspect a child is, or is at risk of, being abused or neglected, it is important to take action. Most abused children are not able to help themselves.

Keep in mind that by reporting your suspicions, you may prevent a child from being seriously hurt or even killed and from having lifelong emotional problems. You may be able to make reports anonymously. If you give your name, it is kept confidential.

  • If a child is in immediate danger or has been badly hurt, don't wait.

    Call 911 or other emergency services right away.

  • Call the police or local child protective services.

    You may not have to give your name. If you don't know who to call, a hospital may be able to tell you. Many of them have special programs to deal with child abuse and neglect. Childhelp, a nonprofit agency, provides telephone numbers and information about how to report suspected or observed child abuse or neglect.

  • If it is your own child, get them to a safe place and stay there.

    This may be the home of a close friend or family member or a domestic violence shelter. To find help in your area, call a trusted health professional, a child abuse organization, or the police.

  • If you are a child or teen who is being abused, don't keep the secret.

    Tell someone who can make a difference: a trusted family member, teacher, counselor, or doctor.

  • Call the Childhelp National Child Abuse hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).

    This hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer information, advice, and support. Childhelp is a nonprofit agency. It provides telephone numbers and information about how to report suspected or observed child abuse or neglect.

Next Section:

Prevention

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.