Understanding Child Abuse & Neglect

UNDERSTANDING CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT Child abuse and neglect is an important societal concern in the United States that is affecting the health and well-being of the children and families involved. A better understanding of the problem can prevent future child abuse and neglect and improve the health and well-being of the children and families involved. [ 6 MILLION CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED IN REPORTS TO CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, AND MANY MORE GO UNDETECTED., •1,2 DEFINING CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT is defined as an act or failure to act by a parent, caregiver, or other person defined by state law that results in physical abuse, neglect, medical neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or presents an imminent risk of harm to a child., NEGLECT MEANS FAILING TO PROVIDE:, ADEQUATE FOOD CLOTHING SUPERVISION PROTECTION SAFE/HYGIENIC FROM KNOWN EDUCATION SHELTER DANGERS MEDICAL NURTURING/ Note: Legal definitions vary across states and differ depending on the data source used for analysis. CARE AFFECTION RISK FACTORS A complex interplay of factors, including those associated with the parent or caregiver, as well as contextual factors may contribute to child abuse and neglect. RISK FACTORS INCLUDE: PARENTAL/CAREGIVER CONTEXTUAL DEPRESSION SINGLE-PARENT HOUSEHOLDS EARLY CHILD BEARING STRESSFUL ENVIRONMENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE SOCIAL ISOLATION POVERTY ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER VIOLENCE THE BIG PICTURE, CHILDREN More than % of all cases in ABUSE the United States are classified as neglect. AGE 3 & UNDER NEGLECT ARE MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE ABUSE AND NEGLECT. THE LASTING IMPACT Child abuse and neglect may affect the long-term health and well-being of not only the children, but also the adults they become. Every experience is unique, and a child's personal characteristics and family and social context, as well as the severity, frequency, and timing of the abuse or neglect can affect outcomes. LONG-TERM EFFECTS PSYCHOLOGICAL BRAIN RELATIONAL RISK HEALTH DEVELOPMENT SKILLS BEHAVIORS Commun- ications • Depression • Posttraumatic stress disorder • Changes in the prefrontal cortex of the brain • Poor peer relations • Difficulty at work • Aggression • Alcoholism · Early sexual activity • Changes to the stress response system Heightened anxiety SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE A coordinated, comprehensive approach to child abuse and neglect research is required to inform policy and practice initiatives that ultimately will improve the well-being of children. 1 2 CREATE A NATIONAL SURVEILLANCE DEVELOP A NATIONAL STRATEGIC SYSTEM RESEARCH PLAN 3 4 DEVELOP STRUCTURES NECESSARY TO CREATE MECHANISMS TO CONDUCT TRAIN HIGH-QUALITY RESEARCHERS POLICY-RELEVANT RESEARCH FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.IOM.EDU/CHILDMALTREATMENT Sources: INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE AND 1) Administration for Children Youth and Families. "Child maltreatment, 2011 report." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. (2012) NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 2) Sedlak, A. J., et al. "Fourth national incidence study of children abuse and neglect (nis-4): Report to congress." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. (2010) OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES