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 to address five different types of child abuse and neglect.

Child neglect

Child Neglect: Impact and Interventions (PDF - 199 KB)
NC Division of Social Services and the Family and Children's Resource Program (2013)
Children’s Services Practice Notes for North Carolina’s Child Welfare Workers, 18(1)
Details interventions that mitigate the effects of child neglect and strengthen family dynamics.

The Science of Neglect: The Persistent Absence of Responsive Care Disrupts the Developing Brain: Working Paper 12
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2012)
Explains why severe deprivation or significant neglect is so harmful in the earliest years of life and why effective interventions are likely to pay significant dividends in better long-term outcomes in learning, health, and parenting of the next generation.

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.

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Physical abuse

Child Physical Abuse (PDF - 71 KB)
American Humane
Includes information on what to look for if you suspect physical abuse and what you can do.

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.

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Sexual abuse

Caring for Kids: What Parents Need to Know About Sexual Abuse (PDF - 11,289 KB)
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Offers parents and caregivers tools to help them support children who have been victims of sexual abuse, information on the importance of talking to children and youth about body safety, and guidance on how to respond when children disclose sexual abuse. The information is available in both English and Spanish.

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.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Primer for Child Welfare Professionals
Series Title Factsheets
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 224KB)
Year Published 2018
Helps child welfare professionals build a better understanding of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), including which clients should be referred for this approach, how it is implemented, and resources for additional information. TF-CBT helps children, adolescents, and their parents (or other caregivers) overcome trauma-related difficulties, including child maltreatment. It helps children address distorted or upsetting beliefs and attributions and learn skills to help them cope with ordinary life stressors. TF-CBT also helps parents who were not abusive to cope effectively with their own emotional distress and develop skills that support their children.

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Emotional abuse

Psychological Maltreatment (PDF - 713 KB)
Hibbard, Barlow, & MacMillan (2012)
American Academy of Pediatrics
Discusses the incidence of childhood emotional abuse and provides information about associated interventions.

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Peer and sibling abuse

Sibling Abuse
University of Michigan Health System (2012)
Defines "sibling abuse" and discusses the prevalence of sibling abuse, associated risk factors, how to prevent the abuse, long-term effects, and more.

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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