Responding to Types of Child Abuse or Neglect

There are varying types of child abuse and neglect, each with its own unique characteristics. The following resources offer information and guidance in responding effectively when a child reveals they or someone they know are victims of abuse and/or neglect.     

• Child neglect
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse

Child neglect

Interventions for Neglect
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
Links to interventions for neglect that have been rated on a scientific scale of evidence-based practice.

Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect
Kaplan Early Learning Company
Provides resources and materials to help teachers, principals, early childhood education professionals, and others appropriately respond to suspected and confirmed child abuse cases.

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Physical abuse

Child Physical Abuse: A Guide to CAC Response
National Children’s Alliance (2014)
Provides information on guidelines and recommendations for child advocacy centers currently providing services to victims of abuse as well as centers considering offering services for this population.

Physical Abuse
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Includes resources on the nature, prevalence, and impact of physical abuse and offers information on its prevention and treatment. Furthermore, the Interventions section offers suggestions for different approaches used to help current victims or those at risk of becoming victims of physical abuse.

Sibling Abuse
University of Michigan Health System (2012)
Defines sibling abuse and discusses its prevalence, associated risk factors, prevention, long-term effects, and more.

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Sexual abuse

Child Sexual Abuse
RAINN (2019)
Focuses on child sexual abuse and the potential warning signs that it may be occurring. 

Considering Family Reconnection and Reunification After Child Sexual Abuse: A Road Map for Advocates and Service Providers (PDF - 1,180 KB)
Tabachnick & Pollard (2016) 
National Sexual Violence Resource Center 
Offers an overview for sexual assault advocates and other service providers about navigating the processes of clarification, reconnection, and reunification. Furthermore, it provides insights into questions that should be asked as well as information about the resources and tools available for any family or advocate working with individuals and families affected by sexual abuse.

Responding to Child Sexual Abuse
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2014)
Provides practical guidance on what to say and what steps to take when child sexual abuse is suspected.

Stop It Now!
Focuses on creating and disseminating effective programs, support, and resources to mobilize adults into taking action to prevent and stop the sexual abuse of children.  

Tip Sheet: Signs That a Child or Teen May Be At-Risk to Harm Another Child
Stop It Now!
Offers a printable handout with bullet points for helping to identify possible signs that a child or teen is at risk of harming another child.

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Emotional abuse

Emotional Abuse
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (2019)   
Provides an overview of different types of emotional abuse, signs and indicators that a child is being abused, and the effects of emotional abuse on children. The webpage also discusses what to do if a child reveals they are being abused. 

Emotional Maltreatment and Child Welfare Practice
NC Division of Social Services and the Family and Children's Resource Program (2015)
Children’s Services Practice Notes for North Carolina’s Child Welfare Workers, 20(3)
Addresses emotional maltreatment and provides information for child welfare professionals on how to better respond to this type of abuse. 

Is Emotional Abuse as Harmful as Physical and Sexual Abuse?
Loudenback (2015)
Chronicle of Social Change
Discusses a study that explains how children who have experienced psychological abuse have similar trauma-related health concerns as those who have suffered from physical abuse.  

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