Selected Resources

Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2007)
Provides State-by-State information on the conduct, acts, and omissions that constitute reportable child abuse or neglect. (PDF - 137 KB)

What Is Child Abuse and Neglect?
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2006)
Defines the major types of maltreatment, based on Federal legislation. (PDF - 228 KB)

What is Child Maltreatment?
Children's Bureau (HHS) User Manual Series (2003)
In A Coordinated Response to Child Abuse and Neglect: The Foundation for Practice
Presents general definitions by type of maltreatment.

Child Maltreatment Surveillance: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2008)
Provides conceptual definitions of child maltreatment, presents associated terms, and recommends data elements for voluntary use by the public health community in the development of surveillance systems.

Related Information Gateway Topics

Child abuse & neglect: Types
Responding to child abuse & neglect
Systemwide: Laws & policies