Child Abuse & Neglect - FAQs:

What is child abuse or neglect? What is the definition of child abuse and neglect?

Just as there are various types of abuse and neglect, the symptoms of abuse and neglect may vary from child to child. Child Welfare Information Gateway, a service of the Children's Bureau, has a fact sheet that may be of interest to you:

Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm

Other national organizations, such as the one listed below, have included information on some of the more common characteristics/symptoms of children who may be victims of child sexual abuse:

National Children's Advocacy Center (http://www.nationalcac.org/ )
See: Physical and Behavioral Indicators of Abuse at http://www.nationalcac.org/families/for_workers/abuse_indicators.html

(Please Note: Posting the resource above does not constitute an endorsement by the Children's Bureau nor does it guarantee the content of the Web site. This resource is provided for information sharing purposes.)

Each State has trained professionals who can evaluate the situation and determine whether intervention or services are needed. Many States have a toll-free number to call to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Please refer to the resource directory listing at http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist/rl_dsp.cfm?rs_id=5&rate_chno=11-11172for information about where to call to make a report in your State.

Another resource for information about how and where to file a report is the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline. Childhelp can be reached 24-hours a day, 7 days a week at its toll-free number, 1.800.4 A-CHILD (1.800.422.4453).

At what age can a child legally be left alone to care for themselves?

State child abuse and neglect reporting laws do not specify the age at which a child can be left home alone. No consistent community standards exist describing when and under what circumstances children can be left alone or in the care of other children. Information about the age at which it is considered appropriate to leave a child alone may exist elsewhere in your local, county or State policies or ordinances that cover this special topic.

You may want to contact your local police department or child protective services agency for information about specific local regulations or ordinances. If you need help in locating your local child protective services agency, you may call Childhelp USA 24-hours a day, seven days a week at its toll-free number, 1.800.4-A CHILD (1.800.422.4453).

If you have concerns that a child is being left home alone inappropriately, you should report your concerns to the appropriate authorities, such as Child Protective Services (CPS), in the State in which the child resides. Each State has trained professionals who can evaluate the situation and determine whether intervention and services are needed. Most States have a toll-free number to call to report suspected abuse. Please refer to the resource directory listing at http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist/rl_dsp.cfm?rs_id=5&rate_chno= 11-11172 for information about where to call to make a report within your State.

Many national organizations have developed resources and guidelines to help parents make decisions on leaving their children home alone while they go to work, run errands, attend social events etc. Listed below are several examples of such guidelines:

National Crime Prevention Council (http://www.ncpc.org)
See:
Leaving Kids Home Alone (http://www.ncpc.org/topics/violent-crime-and-personal-safety/copy_of_home-alone)
At Home Alone: A Parent's Guide (http://www.ncpc.org/resources/files/pdf/neighborhood-safety/chalone.pdf)
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (http://www.aacap.org)
See: Home Alone Children (http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/homealon.htm)
National Network for Child Care (http://www.nncc.org)
See: Home Alone (http://www.nncc.org/SACC/sac31_home.alone.html)

(Note: Posting of non-government resources does not constitute an endorsement by the the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does it guarantee the contents nor privacy policies of the Web sites listed above. These resources are provided for information sharing purposes only.)

What are the signs or symptoms of child abuse or neglect?

Just as there are various types of abuse and neglect, the symptoms of abuse and neglect may vary from child to child.

If you do suspect a child is being harmed, reporting your suspicions may protect the child and get help for the family. Contact your local child protective services agency or police department. For more information about where and how to file a report, call the Childhelp^® National Child Abuse Hotline (1.800.4.A.CHILD).

The Child Welfare Information Gateway (formerly, the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse), a service of the Children's Bureau, has a fact sheet that may be of interest to you:

Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms

http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm

Other national organizations, such as the one listed below, have included information on some of the more common characteristics/symptoms of children who may be victims of child sexual abuse:

National Children's Advocacy Center (http://www.nationalcac.org/ ) See: Physical and Behavioral Indicators of Abuse at http://www.nationalcac.org/families/for_workers/abuse_indicators.html

(Please Note: Posting the resource above does not constitute an endorsement by HHS nor does it guarantee the content of the Web site. This resource is provided for information sharing purposes.)

It is important to note that all States have a system to receive and respond to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. If you suspect that a child is being harmed, you should report your concerns to the appropriate authorities, such as Child Protective Services (CPS), in the State where the child resides. Each State has trained professionals who can evaluate the situation and determine whether intervention or services are needed. Many States have a toll-free number to call to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Please refer to the resource directory listing at http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist/rl_dsp.cfm?rs_id=5&rate_chno=11-11172 for information about where to call to make a report in your State.

Where can I find statistics about child abuse?

The Administration for Children and Families issued the Child Maltreatment 2006 report. Findings reveal that during the Federal fiscal year 2006, an estimated 905,000 children in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. This is up 6,000 children over 2005.

Additional statistics and research information are available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/index.htm

Where can I find resources for the prevention of child abuse?

The Administration for Children and Families' Children???s Bureau Community Resource Packet, Promoting Healthy Families in Your Community: 2008 Resource Packet, for child abuse prevention is available at: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/res_packet_2008/.

Additional resources are available from the Prevention Web site at the Child Welfare Information Gateway at: http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/