The abuse and neglect of children in the United States is epidemic. Approximately 3 million reports of child abuse and neglect are made each year. Three children die every day at the hands of their parents or caretakers.
- Neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment, affecting 57% of abuse victims.
- 52% of reported abuse victims are between ages 8 and 17.
- In 2003, there were 1,500 reported deaths of abuse and neglect victims.
Source: Juvenile Offenders and Victims: A National Report, National Center for Juvenile Justice (2006)
Abuse may be:
• physical (acts that cause physical injury)
• sexual (sexual activity that provides gratification or financial benefit to the perpetrator, or the person committing the abuse, such as sexual conduct, prostitution, pornography, or sexual exploitation), or
• emotional (acts or omissions that cause mental disorders in a child).
Neglect may be:
• physical (including abandonment and/or failure to provide supervision, health care, adequate food, clothing, or shelter)
• emotional (including inadequate nurturance, or a disregard for a child′s emotional or developmental needs), or
• educational (including permitting chronic truancy, failing to comply with student attendance laws or otherwise disregarding the child′s educational needs).
Photo by Mundo Zeli
Child abuse and neglect are against the law. If you witness or hear about an incident of abuse or neglect, you should report it to the police or Child Protective Services (CPS). Every state has mandatory reporting laws spelling out the legal obligations of teachers, doctors, social workers, and anyone responsible for children. An adult who fails to report suspected abuse or neglect of a child has violated the law.
CPS is an agency of state government charged with the duty to investigate abuse, neglect, and abandonment cases. In most states, CPS provides services to families to help them to solve their problems and stay together.
For example, parents may discipline their child, but if the punishments are excessive, leaving welts or bruises, the police and courts may get involved to protect the child. If a child is removed from the home and placed in foster care, services are offered to assist in reuniting the family. If the parents are unsuccessful in their efforts, or if they refuse to cooperate, the child may stay with relatives or remain in foster care or an adoptive home.
If you′re in danger, or you know someone who′s injured or has been abused at home, tell someone you trust. A teacher, school nurse, or police officer will be able to offer assistance. If a friend tells you that he or she has been sexually molested, tell a responsible adult.
You′re protected under the law when reporting suspected abuse or neglect. As long as you′re truthful in reporting, the law protects you from being sued. You may also report anonymously (without giving your name), although identifying yourself might help the investigation. If you’re in danger of being abused or neglected or you know someone who is, you can call anytime of day or night the following:
National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-252-2873
ChildHelp USA: 1-800-422-4453
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First of all my daughter has never been a good parent. Her husband has stuck up for her in every wrong thing she has done. She has been on drugs and she has been on prescription drugs for years. She let her son quit school at 16 years old because she didn’t want to drive him and he hated school anyways. I could go on and on but too upset. I called her therapist because he is the one giving her prescription drugs at the moment. He said he couldn’t discuss it with me. I tried to tell him she is coming to him only for the prescription drugs. I told him how she smokes pot in front of her two high school kids and believe it or not so far they are really good kids. The therapist told me that sometimes people need prescription drugs to get well and I asked him does it take 15 years? That’s how long she has been on them. She sleeps all day and stays up all night. My Grandson has not a snowball’s chance making it in this world. I have begged him to go back to school. He says he’s going in the Navy but I don’t think he can do that if he doesn’t have a diploma. I am just sick.
Judge Tom’s response:
Your concern for your grandson and attempts to help him in a difficult situation might be just what he needs to succeed. Knowing you’re there for him is stability and assurance that he is loved. Stay in touch with him if he joins the service. The best to you and your family.
[This is information only - not legal advice].
Okay im am an 14 year old girl !
My mother doesnt treat how i want to be treated imean she just acts like she doesnt care ! But when it comes to my 4 year old sister its everythinq ! Imean she yellls at me for no reason . tells me dont ask for nothinq , and that ineed to go with a family that wants me ! imean ijust dont understand ! Sometimes ijustw ant to runaway but ihave no wear to go to ! She’s ne ver there to take m anywhere ! And now she expecting me to pay her to take me places !
Dear Desha: We are sorry that your home life isn’t what you’d like. Maybe you should try to calmly talk with your Mom and let her know how you feel and why. If that’s not possible, maybe a relative or someone else you trust could help you. Don’t run away because the dangers you’ll face are serious. If you’re in danger of being abused, contact your local Child Protective Services. Good luck.
[This is information only - not legal advice].
Okay, I have a 14 year old friend who lives with her father, her father has neglected her for years and her older sister has to take care of her (Feed her, buy her clothes and shoes, and take her places). Her father is a bit of a nutcase, If she doesn’t do the dishes, he throws them in the front yard! And he never finishes anything he starts, they’ve had a bathtub in they’re living room for three years, which is now on its end in the bathroom. And because of that they only have one working bathroom. Her brother lives with them as well, three people and one bathroom doesn’t work well. She is stuck there four days a week, she is not aloud to go for walks around the neighborhood or go out with friends, she spends all her time inside. She has also been home schooled all her life, but her father doesn’t teach her anything, so its like not being schooled at all. She wants to leave but is currently to scared. What should she do?
Dear Aria: Under your state laws, if she is being abused or neglected, it may be a situation that Child Protective Services would look into. Generally, however, even if a family is as you describe, the living conditions wouldn’t merit interference by the state. You could speak with Child Welfare and explain what you know about the family. They would then decide if they can take action through a welfare check on the girl and interviewing her. Good luck.
[This is information only - not legal advice].
idk what to do anymore my dad is completely insane and i cant leave bc im on tether form running away from my mom who neglected me now im stuck with my dad in which he is a recovering alchoholic and completly nuts. hes yells at me constantly and is a compulsive liar he doesnt even know what the truth is anymore he always calls me names and threatends me but the worst is when he tries to hurt me. i rly am stuck in a bad position cuz i dont want to get in trouble but im stuck with him with no where else to go. and when i say i wanna leave he prevents me its like complete havic over here
Dear Kaleigh: If you are in danger of being abused at home, you need to report this to someone you trust. Tell a teacher or counselor at school or someone else that you trust such as a close relative or friend. You could also call Child Protective Services in your area. If you don’t know the number, call the National Child Protective Services Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. Good luck.
[This is information only - not legal advice].
i am so stressed idk what to do! im 15 years old and live with my mom and younger brother but for the past almost two months its pretty much me and my brother living on our own. my mom has been staying at this guys house to help him bc he was in an accident and we see my mom maybe once a day but some days i dont hear from her and when i do she bearly talks to me. my brother is 13 so we can do stuff for ourselves but we run out of food and it takes a while before we can actually get it and im tired of being responsible for vrything and everyone! i clean the house everyday and everytime she comes home she manages to find something wrong with it, she wont take me to get my licence and im tired of doing nothing! i dont even want my mom in my life im tired of how she treats me and i have tried talking to her and nothing changes..sometimes i wish i could jus get taken from her…
Dear Heather: Don’t give up on your Mom. She might be trying to do too much at one time, but everyone has to pitch in when help is needed. You’re doing great for yourself and younger brother. Be patient and hopefully your situation will improve soon. Keep talking with your Mom so she understands the stress you’re under. It might help to talk to other family members or adults you trust. Good luck.
[This is information only - not legal advice].
I’ve Been Abused Lately By My Brother. Funny Thing Is All My Mom Does Is NOTHING! She Yells At Him Then The Next Day She’ll Take HIS Side On Everything! He’ll Call Me Various Names And What Does She Do? NOTHING!I’ll Talk Back ‘Cause I Don’t Like People Trying To Put Me Down, I’m The Type To Defend Myself So Obviouslly I Respond Quickly But That’s What I’m Saying..No Matter What He Says Or How Badly He Leaves Me Bruise She Ends Up Taking His Side. He’s Been In Rehab Twice Because He’s Very Violent And He’s A Drug Addict. But My Mom Still Gives Him Money And Lets Him Go Out And She Never Does Anything! I Just Want Him To Go To Jail For Hitting Me And Leaving The Bruises He Did!
Dear Chuliee: You didn’t mention your age but if you’re a minor [under 18] you have a right to be protected from physical and sexual abuse. Your state laws provide for your safety and a means of reporting incidents of abuse. Try talking to an adult who you trust about this – either an aunt or uncle, grandparent or a friend’s parent. If that doesn’t work then consider notifying your local authorities, either the police or Child Protective Services.
The national helpline for Child Protective Services is: 1-800-422-4453 [ChildHelp USA] or 1-800-252-2873 [National Child Abuse Hotline].
[This is information only - not legal advice].
i was fired from my nursing home job for neglect but they failed to report it do you think they will take this to abritraction
Dear Felicia: You need to look at any papers you signed when you were hired. If you signed an employment contract, their are most likely provisions regarding termination of employment included. You are bound by the terms of the contract. If you’ve already been fired, as you say, then arbitration may not be available. If you have further questions you could contact a local employment lawyer. Good luck.
[This is information only - not legal advice].
My brother and his wife separated 3 years ago. She now lives with another man with her 3 kids and a 4th child she had with her new boyfriend. My brother gets the kids every other weekend, and they seem fine and healthy. But we have gotten two emails…One from HER friend, and one from HER own brother. The emails stated that the electricity has been going out because they don’t pay it. She keeps calling the electricity company to have it turned back on telling them that there are children living there. The emails stated that there is drug use being done by her new boyfriend in the house (apparently just pot) He also goes out often and is cheating on her. This has caused her to become a heavy alcoholic were she apparently spends most of the day crying and drinking. They stated that the house is not safe for the kids and they can run around as they please. The children are 12, 7, 4.
I think it must be pretty extreme if her own brother sent us an email….Should I take action and contact social services if my brother(the dad) Isn’t doing it? Also will there be alot of trouble for me proving this is going on, considering all I have is emails, and who knows if her brother would testify in court etc? Help?
Dear Justin: We’re glad you have enough concern for the welfare of these children to write us. You could suggest to her brother that he report what he knows to Child Protective Services [1-800-422-4453 - national hotline] or Google your state’s name and “CPS” for your local number. He can report anonymously. You could do the same. However your knowledge, as you said, is second or third-hand and may not be considered a priority for an investigation. If her brother has witnessed these events and the lack of care being provided in the home, his statement is more credible. Hopefully the children will remain safe. Good luck.
[This is information only - not legal advice].