Child Abuse Information by State

Children of all ages experience child abuse and neglect. In 2020, one out of seven children experienced abuse or neglect. And child abuse and neglect cause about 1,750 children's deaths each year. Chances are, these data are an underestimate, as most abuse and neglect cases stay unreported. In extreme cases, child abuse and neglect could result in human trafficking. Each year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also assists thousands of children who suffer from human trafficking.

Although this issue is a nationwide problem, state laws that address the case may vary in each state. Thus, it is crucial to learn about your state laws. States provide resources related to child abuse and neglect. These resources will help you understand the law and prevent an increase in these cases.

This article will find various government sources about child abuse cases. Some of the agencies included in the list are child protective services, child abuse hotlines, and guidelines on reporting child abuse.

Recognizing the Different Types of Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse or neglect can happen in different forms. Included among them are the following:

• Physical abuse is the infliction of violence or force that causes harm or bodily injury to the child. Acts or omissions of the perpetrator can cause harm to the child.
• Emotional abuse is using actions or words that attack the child's self-worth and jeopardize the child's mental health. These words or actions can be in the form of embarrassment, isolation, belittling, or rejection of the child.
• Child sexual abuse or sexual exploitation involves any sexual act with a person under the age of majority. The sexual act can either be through physical contact or nonphysical contact.
• Neglect happens when someone fails to provide for the child's basic needs. Basic needs include, among others, child care, medical care, and health care, as well as emotional support and nurturing. Neglect is commonly committed by people with custody of the child, such as a child's parent or caregiver.

Any of these forms of abuse affect a child's health and well-being. Thus, it is crucial to recognize the common signs of abuse and neglect. People are also encouraged to make a report when there is reasonable cause to believe abuse and neglect happens.

Reporting Procedures and Responsibilities

If you suspect a child is at risk of harm or suspected abuse arises, report it to the appropriate authorities immediately. Each state law has reporting laws that provide rules on good faith reporting. In most cases, there is a detailed list of mandatory reporters in each state law.

Those required by law to report cases of abuse are mandatory reporters. People in frequent contact with children because of their professions have higher responsibility in reporting the abuse. For instance, most state laws list educators, healthcare providers, and social workers as mandated reporters.

After someone identifies child abuse, one of the main goals of child welfare agencies is to provide "permanency" for the child affected. Permanency means giving the child a safe, stable, and loving environment. Permanency happens through the child's placement to foster care or adoption. But, the law encourages family reunification of the child.

Navigating the Varying State Laws

Definitions of child abuse may vary depending on each state law. Similarly, varying civil and criminal charges are imposed against the alleged perpetrator. Perpetrators of child abuse and neglect could face criminal charges, felony charges, or misdemeanors, depending on the severity of the case.

Also, every state has social services and law enforcement agencies that handle this issue.

This article will provide you with more information on child abuse and neglect. The sources will have statewide statutes and national laws. The links will also have child abuse hotlines and contact information that the public can reach out to.

National

• Child Welfare Information Gateway (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

• MedlinePlus: Child Abuse (National Library of Medicine)

Alabama

• Alabama Child Abuse Laws
• Alabama Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board (Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention)

• Child Abuse FAQs (Alabama Department of Human Resources)

• Prevent Child Abuse Alabama (Prevent Child Abuse America)

Alaska

• Alaska Child Abuse Laws
• Report Child Abuse in Alaska (Alaska Department of Family and Community Services – Office of Children's Services)

• Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (Alaska Youth Law Guide)

• Child Abuse Resources (Alaska Department of Family and Community Services – Office of Children's Services)

Arizona

• Arizona Child Abuse Laws
• Report Child Abuse or Neglect (Arizona Department of Child Safety)

• Regional Child Abuse Prevention Councils (Arizona Department of Child Safety)

• Childhood Neglect (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

Arkansas

• Arkansas Child Abuse Laws
• Child Protective Services (CPS): How to Report Child Abuse or Neglect (Arkansas Department of Human Services)

• Child Abuse Resources (Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence)

• Childhelp Arkansas (Childhelp)

California

• California Child Abuse Laws
• Abuse and Neglect: Information for Parents (Judicial Council of California)

• Juvenile Dependency Forms (Judicial Branch of California)

• Find Help: Violence and Abuse (First5 California)

Colorado

• Colorado Child Abuse Laws
• Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline Reporting System (Colorado Department of Human Services)

• Tennyson Center for Children (Tennyson Center for Children)

• Child Abuse and Neglect (CO4Kids)

Connecticut

• Connecticut Child Abuse Laws
• Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect FAQs (Department of Children and Families)

• Report of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect [PDF] (Department of Children and Families)

• Child Abuse or Neglect Resources (Connecticut Children's)

Delaware

• Delaware Child Abuse Laws
• Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting (Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families)

• The Professionals' Guide to Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect [PDF] (Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families)

• Child Abuse/Neglect Mandatory Reporting Portal (Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families)

District of Columbia

• District of Columbia Child Abuse Laws
• Report Child Abuse and Neglect (D.C. Child and Family Services Agency)

• Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect (D.C. Child and Family Services Agency)

• Safe Shores (D.C. Children's Advocacy Center)

Florida

• Florida Child Abuse Laws
• Florida Abuse (Department of Children and Families)

• A Parent's Guide to Juvenile Dependency Court (Florida's Center for Child Welfare)

Georgia

• Georgia Child Abuse Laws
• Child Abuse and Neglect (Georgia Division of Family and Children Services)

• Prevent Child Abuse Georgia (Georgia State University)

Hawaii

• Hawaii Child Abuse Laws
• Child Welfare Services (Hawai'i Department of Human Services and Social Services)

• Child Abuse Resources (Cap4Kids Children's Advocacy Project of Hawaii)

• Hawai'i Children's Justice Centers (Hawai'i State Judiciary)

Idaho

• Idaho Child Abuse Laws
• Child Protection (Idaho Supreme Court)

• Report Neglect, Abuse, and Abandonment (Idaho Department of Health and Welfare)

• Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting Resources (Idaho Network of Children's Advocacy Centers)

Illinois

• Illinois Child Abuse Laws
• Children and Family Services Hotlines (Illinois Department of Children and Family Services)

• Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (Illinois Department of Children & Family Services)

• Prevent Child Abuse Illinois (Prevent Child Abuse America)

Indiana

• Indiana Child Abuse Laws
• Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect Resources (Indiana Family and Social Services Administration)

• Do I have to report suspected child abuse? (Indiana Legal Services)

• Child Abuse Hotline (Indiana Department of Child Services)

Iowa

• Iowa Child Abuse Laws
• Child Abuse: Guide for Mandatory Reporters [PDF] (Iowa Department of Human Services)

• Prevent Child Abuse Iowa Resources (Prevent Child Abuse America)

• Child Protection Resources (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services)

Kansas

• Kansas Child Abuse Laws
• Child Abuse Report Guide [PDF] (Kansas Department for Children and Families)

• Reporting Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Adult and Child (Kansas Department for Children and Families)

• Prevent Child Abuse Kansas (Prevent Child Abuse America)

Kentucky

• Kentucky Child Abuse Laws
• Juvenile Dependency, Neglect, and Abuse Petition (Kentucky Court of Justice)

• Child Protection Branch (Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services)

• Find Help – Kentucky's Children Advocacy Centers (Commonwealth of Kentucky)

Louisiana

• Louisiana Child Abuse Laws
• Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect FAQ (Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services)
• Child Protection Investigation (Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services)

• Childhelp Louisiana (Childhelp)

Maine

• Maine Child Abuse Laws
• Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (Maine Department of Health and Human Services)

• Child Protection (Maine Child and Family Services)

• How to Report Child Abuse/Neglect (Maine Child and Family Services)

Maryland

• Maryland Child Abuse Laws
• Petition for Protection from Domestic Violence/Child Abuse/Vulnerable Adult Abuse [PDF] (District Court of Maryland)

• Dictionary (for Use With Petition For Protection from Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, and Vulnerable Adult Abuse) [PDF] (District Court of Maryland)

• Report Abuse (Maryland Children's Alliance Inc.)

Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Child Abuse Laws
• Warning Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect (Massachusetts Department of Children and Families)

• Report Child Abuse or Neglect (Executive Office of Health and Human Services)

• List of Child Physical and Sexual Abuse Services by Massachusetts County (Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance)

Michigan

• Michigan Child Abuse Laws
• A Model Child Abuse Protocol - DHS Pub-794 [PDF] (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services)

• Report Abuse and Neglect (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services)

• Childhelp Michigan (Childhelp)

Minnesota

• Minnesota Child Abuse Laws
• Report Abuse (Minnesota Department of Human Services)

• What is Considered Child Abuse and Neglect in Minnesota? (Minnesota Department of Human Services)

• Education Materials and Other Resources (Midwest Children's Resource Center)

Mississippi

• Mississippi Child Abuse Laws
• Report Child Abuse/Neglect (Mississippi Department of Human Services)

• Types of Child Abuse (Mississippi State Department of Health)

• How to Report Abuse (Mississippi State Department of Health)

Missouri

• Missouri Child Abuse Laws
• Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (Missouri Department of Social Services)

• Child Abuse and Neglect Investigation (Missouri Department of Social Services)

• Prevent Child Abuse Missouri (Missouri KidsFirst)

Montana

• Montana Child Abuse Laws
• Child and Family Services (Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services)

• Hotline Numbers (Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services)

• Resources (Parenting Montana)

Nebraska

• Nebraska Child Abuse Laws
• Child Welfare and Protection (Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services)

• Child Abuse and Neglect (Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services)

• Prevent Child Abuse Nebraska (Prevent Child Abuse America)

Nevada

• Nevada Child Abuse Laws
• Report Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect (Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child and Family Services)

• Child Protective Services (Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child and Family Services)

• Resources (Children's Advocacy Centers of Nevada)

New Hampshire

• Child Protection Services (New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services)

• Report Child Abuse (New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services)

• Prevent Child Abuse in New Hampshire (Prevent Child Abuse America)

New Jersey

• How and When to Report Child Abuse/Neglect (New Jersey Department of Children and Families)

• New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (New Jersey Department of Children and Families)

• Report Abuse (Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey)

New Mexico

• New Mexico Child Abuse Laws
• Definitions of Abuse and Neglect (New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department)

• Reporting Child Abuse (New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department)

• Childhelp New Mexico (Childhelp)

New York

• New York Child Abuse Laws
• Child Protective Forms (New York State Unified Court System)

• Prevent Child Abuse New York (Prevent Child Abuse America)

• Shaken Baby Syndrome (New York Department of Health)

North Carolina

• North Carolina Child Abuse Laws
• Child Protective Services (North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services)

• Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (Prevent Child Abuse America)

• Child Abuse Response and Prevention (North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence)

North Dakota

• North Dakota Child Abuse Laws
• North Dakota Child Protection Program (North Dakota Department of Human Services)

• Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota (Prevent Child Abuse America)

Ohio

• Ohio Child Abuse Laws
• How to Report Child Abuse or Neglect (Ohio Department of Job and Family Services)

• You Can Help Prevent Child Abuse (Ohio Children's Trust Fund)
• Child Protective Services (Ohio Department of Job and Family Services)

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma Child Abuse Laws
• Child Protective Services Unit (Oklahoma Department of Human Services)

• Office of Child Abuse Prevention (Oklahoma State Department of Health)

• Oklahoma Child Abuse Hotline (Oklahoma State Department of Health)

Oregon

• Child Abuse and Neglect (Oregon Department of Human Services)

• Child Abuse and Neglect Risk Factor Checklist [PDF] (Oregon Department of Human Services)

• What You Can Do About Child Abuse [PDF] (Oregon Department of Human Services)

Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania Child Abuse Laws
• Child Welfare Portal (Pennsylvania Child Welfare Information Solution)

• Abuse and Neglect Definition (Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance)

• Keep Kids Safe (Pennsylvania Department of Human Services)

Puerto Rico

• Child Abuse Hotline Number (Reproductive Health National Training Center)

• Administración Auxiliar de Protección Social (Puerto Rico Child Protective Services)

• Regional Help (Office of Regional Operations – An Office of the Administration for Children and Families)

Rhode Island

• Rhode Island Child Abuse Laws

• Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families)

• Child Welfare in Rhode Island (Rhode Island Kids Count)

South Carolina

• South Carolina Child Abuse Laws
• Child Protective Services (South Carolina Department of Social Services)

• Need to Report Abuse or Neglect? (South Carolina Department of Social Services)

• Prevent Child Abuse South Carolina (Prevent Child Abuse America)

South Dakota

• South Dakota Child Abuse Laws
• Report Abuse and Neglect (South Dakota Child Protection Services)

• Child Abuse and Neglect Mandatory Reporting (South Dakota Child Protection Services)

Tennessee

• Tennessee Child Abuse Laws
• Tennessee Department of Children's Services (Tennessee State Government)

• Child Abuse Reporting (Tennessee Department of Children's Services)

• Preventing Sexual Abuse of Children [PDF] (University of Tennessee)

Texas

• Texas Child Abuse Laws
• Report Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation (Texas Department of Family and Protective Services)

• Texas Child Protective Services (Texas Department of Family and Protective Services)

• Child Abuse Prevention and Safety Resources (Texas Department of State Health Services)

Utah

• Utah Child Abuse Laws
• Child Abuse Prevention (Utah Department of Health and Human Services)

• Prevent Child Abuse Utah (Prevent Child Abuse Utah)

• Child Protective Services (Utah Department of Health and Human Services)

Vermont

• Vermont Child Abuse Laws
• Reporting Child Abuse (Vermont Department for Children and Families)

• Child Abuse and Reporting [PDF] (Vermont Department of Health Agency of Education)

• Resources for Families (Vermont Agency of Human Services)

Virginia

• Virginia Child Abuse Laws
• Child Abuse & Foster Care Prevention (Virginia Department of Social Services)

• Prevent Child Abuse Virginia (Prevent Child Abuse America)

• Child Abuse Prevention Toolkits (Families Forward Virginia)

Washington

• Washington Child Abuse Laws
• What is Child Abuse and Neglect? (Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families)

• Prevent Child Abuse Washington (Prevent Child Abuse America)

• Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (Washington State Office of the Attorney General)

West Virginia

• West Virginia Child Abuse Laws
• Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources)

• Prevention Resources – Child Abuse and Neglect (West Virginia Violence and Injury Prevention Program)

• Childhelp West Virginia (Childhelp)

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Child Abuse Laws
• Report Child Abuse and Neglect (Wisconsin Department of Children and Families)

• Child Abuse, Neglect, and Abandonment (Wisconsin State Law Library)

• Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin (Prevent Child Abuse America)

Wyoming

• Wyoming Child Abuse Laws
• Reporting Abuse/Neglect (Wyoming Department of Family Services)

• Wyoming Division of Victim Services (Wyoming Division of Victim Services)

• Prevent Child Abuse Wyoming (Prevent Child Abuse America)

Consult with a Legal Professional

Child abuse and neglect is a serious issue affecting thousands of children yearly. It can happen in various settings. This includes homes, schools, and daycare centers. And children affected by it are usually left vulnerable and helpless. So it is crucial to take immediate action.

By learning about these resources, you will better understand child abuse cases. But,a family law attorney near you can help. They can help you get a better understanding of the case. They will also help develop a long-term solution to protect the child from abuse.