Session 5

Child Abuse and Neglect

5.1 Overview of Session 5

Learning Objectives

Articulate the legal basis and definitions for child abuse and neglect.• including the definitions for each of the forms of abuse identified in your state

Describe the difference between your personal definitions of child abuse and legal definitions.

Describe how domestic violence and child abuse and neglect often coexist in families.

Make an informed Child Protective Services (CPS) report• Explain how to access services for families experiencing domestic violence

and child abuse and neglect.

5.1 (cont) Overview of Session 5

Agenda

5.1 Opening and Homework Review 30 min

5.2 Definition of Child Abuse and Neglect 15 min

5.3 Connection between Domestic Violence and Child Abuse and Neglect 15 min

5.4 Mandatory Reporting and Other Legal Issues 45 min

5.5 Closing 15 min

5.2 Definition of Child Abuse and Neglect – Federal Statute

Child Abuse and Neglect is, at a minimum:

Any 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 Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, 42 U.S.C.A. § 510g)

5.3 Child Abuse and Neglect and Domestic Violence Statistics

Both the past year and lifetime rates of exposure to maltreatment rose as children grew older, particularly for children age 10 and older: one in six 14 – 17 year olds suffered maltreatment during the past year and nearly one in three during their lifetime.

Patterns of child maltreatment were similar for girls and boys with the exception of psychological or emotional abuse, the incidence of which was somewhat higher for girls than boys. Rates of sexual assault by a known adult (not limited to caregivers) were also higher for girls than boys, in a pattern that was similar to other forms of sexual victimization.

5.3 (cont) Child Abuse and Neglect and Domestic Violence Statistics

Physical abuse was reported by nearly 1 in 3 (31.1%) of youth who had witnessed partner violence in their lifetime.

More than 70% of youth who had been sexually abused by a known adult also had witnessed partner violence.

Childhood exposure to adult domestic violence should not automatically be defined as maltreatment under the law. Such conclusions are both faulty and also may not be the most useful response to these children.

5.3 (cont) Child Abuse and Neglect and Domestic Violence Statistics

The negative impact of domestic violence may spill over to children outside of the family. Findings from a recent study indicate that children from troubled families significantly decrease the reading and math test scores of their peers and increase misbehavior in the classroom.

On average, juveniles (ages 12 – 17) were more than twice as likely as adults (ages 18 or older) to be the victim/survivor of a violent crime from 1993 – 2003.