Elawyers Elawyers
Ohio| Change
Welcome to the Child Abuse section of FindLaw's Family Law Center. Here you will find information on identifying, preventing, and reporting child abuse, as well as state-specific child abuse laws and resources. Learn who is required by law to report suspicion of child abuse, along with how to avoid making false allegations of child abuse. Whether you're looking for general information on how the law can help protect children from abuse, or for specifics on how to properly report abuse, you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Child Abuse and Neglect?

Child abuse is the physical, mental, emotional, or sexual abuse of a person who is under the age of majority. In addition to actions towards the child that cause harm, there can also be inaction that results in criminal charges. For example, leaving a two year old at home alone while you go to work for eight hours could be considered neglect because no one is there to supervise, feed, diaper, and ensure the child’s safety from other dangers like pools or fire. Every state prosecutes child abuse and neglect. These crimes are taken quite seriously. To learn more, see the background and history articles in this Child Abuse section.

What Is a Child Abuse Case?

There are two distinct aspects or types of child abuse cases. First, there are criminal cases related to crimes committed against a child, from sexual molestation, to assault. These cases can result in incarceration, fines, and possibly termination of parental rights. Other child abuse cases are generally in the local family or children’s court. The state, often through the state Child Protective Services (CPS), can temporarily or permanently remove a child from a parent’s home for child abuse and neglect in the home. This section describes child abuses cases in further detail.

Child Abuse Laws

Each state has different laws regarding how child abuse and neglect are defined and who must report suspected or observed child abuse or neglect. If you’re a medical professional or school employee, your employer has probably given you training about mandatory reporting. However, some states require everyone to report suspected child abuse. Some individuals may not realize they must report child abuse, like a religious leader or an in-home day care provider. To learn more about the law in your state, including whether you are mandated to report child abuse, check out the Child Abuse Laws section.

Child Abuse Resources

Perhaps, you or a loved one is involved in a child abuse case right now. Having a child abuse case brought against you or making a child abuse report can be a very emotional experience. You want to make sure you have done everything required of you to the best of your ability. Otherwise, there may be serious consequences, such as losing custody of your child or fines for failure to report. Fortunately, the Child Abuse Resources section includes links to state-specific links to resources that can help you know what to do if you suspect a child in your life is being abused.

Getting Legal Help

If you still feel you need help after reading the articles below, it may be time to hire an attorney. If your child abuse case involves a criminal charge, you should speak to a criminal defense attorney. For other cases, you will want to speak to a family law attorney who works on child abuse and dependency cases.

Recent Topics

  • Checklist: Are You a Mandatory Reporter?
    Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors.

    Useful checklist explaining the laws that designate which groups of professionals are required to report cases of suspected child abuse and neglect including related links and how to obtain immunity from liability.

  • Child Abuse Backlground and History
    Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors.

    History of child abuse laws throughout the United States, including where child abuse statues originated, and a description of the federal 1974 the Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act (CAPT).

  • Child Abuse Cases
    Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors.

    Summary of child abuse laws throughout the United States, including investigation of cases, intervention and removal proceedings, when the government keeps child abuse records, details of false reporting and much more.

  • Child Abuse Information by State
    Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors.

    A handy list of child abuse information in the United States, including a state-by-state guide to the laws, and resources you can use to educate yourself on state law definitions of abuse.

  • Child Abuse Laws

    Child abuse includes physical and mental harm, neglect, and sexual abuse of a minor, and is prosecuted as a serious crime in every state. The crime typically is prosecuted as assault and battery or child endangerment and can result in the termination...

  • Child Abuse Laws State-By-State
    Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors.

    Current state-by-state child abuse laws, covering the different definitions of child abuse, the various aspects of mandatory and permissive reporting laws, and how the state courts work with social services.

  • Child Abuse Resources

    Child abuse and violence affect millions of children each year. Child abuse includes physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect. A number of different government agencies and nongovernmental organizations provide assistance for the victims of chil...

  • Do's and Don'ts: False Allegations of Child Abuse
    Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors.

    The legal definition of "false reporting" with respect to child abuse allegations throughout the United States; including links to related resources.

  • How to Report Child Abuse
    Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors.

    How to report suspected child abuse including mandatory reporting requirements; different state procedures, where to go if you want to report suspected abuse directly to the federal government.

  • Are You a Mandatory Reporter of Child Abuse?
    Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors.

    All states require that if certain defined persons (such as pediatricians and child care workers) know or suspect that child abuse is going on, they must report the abuse to the authorities. These mandatory reporting laws were instituted to help prom...

Can't find what you're looking for?

Post a free question on our public forum.
Ask a Question
Search for lawyers by practice areas.
Find a Lawyer