{"id":374973,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:58","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-child-abuse-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-02-19T15:17:02","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T20:17:02","slug":"new-jersey-child-abuse-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-child-abuse-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Child Abuse Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Jersey Child Abuse Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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In New Jersey, child abuse encompasses physical abuse, abandonment, neglect, sexual abuse, and cruelty. Anyone aware of potential abuse must report to the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This includes physical harm, emotional deprivation, and lack of necessary care or supervision. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

In New Jersey, child abuse is a serious offense. A conviction can result in prison time of up to 18 months and fines of up to $10,000 for a first offense. Child abuse includes physical abuse, abandonment, neglect, and sexual abuse.<\/p>\r\n

New Jersey law requires anyone with knowledge of suspected child abuse to report it to the Department of Children and Families (DCF), whether they are mandatory reporters or not. New Jersey protects good-faith reporters from legal repercussions for making an invalid claim.<\/p>\r\n

What constitutes child abuse\/neglect in New Jersey? How can you report suspected abuse to DCF? This article reviews the process for reporting claims to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP).<\/p>\r\n

If you or someone you know is the victim of child abuse, contact the New Jersey Child Abuse Hotline at 1-877-NJ-ABUSE (1-877-652-2873). <\/i><\/p>\r\n

New Jersey Child Abuse Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

In New Jersey, a "child" is any minor under the age of 18 still under the care, custody, and control of their parents or legal caregiver. Domestic violence laws protect an emancipated minor whose<\/a> parents abuse them.<\/p>\r\n

New Jersey law defines child abuse in considerable detail, with subsections for abuse, abandonment, cruelty, and neglect.<\/p>\r\n