Federal legislation provides a foundation for states by identifying a minimum set of acts or behaviors that define child abuse and neglect. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), (42 U.S.C.A. §5106g), as amended by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003 defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum:

• Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical injury or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or
• An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.

What are the Major Types of Child Abuse and Neglect?

Within the minimum standards set by CAPTA, each state is responsible for providing its own definitions of child abuse and neglect¹. Most states recognize four major types of maltreatment; physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Some states also specify substance abuse or abandonment by the caretaker as an element of abuse and/or neglect. Although any of the forms of child maltreatment may be found separately, they often occur in combination.

The examples provided herein are for general informational purposes only. Not all states' definitions will include all of the examples listed and individual states definitions may cover additional situations not mentioned here. Click on links for more detailed definitions and examples of abuse.

	Physical Abuse Physical injury that results in substantial harm to the child
	Emotional Abuse Mental or emotional injury that results in observable and material growth impairment
	Neglect Leaving children in situations where they could be exposed to a substantial risk of physical or mental harm
	Sexual Abuse Sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, emotional or physical welfare
	Substance Abuse Substance abuse is an element of the definition of child abuse or neglect in some states2
	Abandonment Abandonment is now included in some states' definition of abuse and/or neglect
1 See Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect, from the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect State Statute Series. 2 For complete discussion of this issue see Clearinghouse publication Parental Drug Use as Child Abuse.