NCJ Number
232220
Date Published
July 2009
Length
93 pages
Annotation
This report presents a summary of State laws and statutes on child abuse and neglect with State-by-State outlined defining acts that constitute child abuse and neglect.
Abstract
Child abuse and neglect are defined by Federal and State laws. Nearly all States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands provide civil definitions of child abuse and neglect in statute. States recognize the different types of abuse in their definitions, including physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. A report must be made when an individual knows or has reasonable cause to believe or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect. In addition to defining acts or omissions that constitute child abuse or neglect, several States' statutes provide specific definitions of persons who can be reported to child protective services as perpetrators of abuse or neglect. These are persons who have some relationship or regular responsibility for the child. This generally includes parents, guardians, foster parents, relatives, or other caregivers responsible for the child's welfare. This report provides a State-by-State and United States territory summary of laws and statutes on child abuse and neglect.