{"id":376206,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:37","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/south-carolina-law\/south-carolina-child-abuse-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-09-23T11:42:35","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T16:42:35","slug":"south-carolina-child-abuse-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/south-carolina-law\/south-carolina-child-abuse-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"South Carolina Child Abuse Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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South Carolina Child Abuse Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, 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\n\n

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South Carolina<\/span> defines child abuse<\/span> as any harm or threat of harm to a child’s physical, emotional, or mental well-being<\/span>. This includes physical or emotional injury, mental health<\/span> impacts, sexual abuse<\/span>, and neglect among other offenses. The state mandates certain professionals, such as healthcare<\/span> providers<\/span> and teachers, to report suspected abuse. Failure to report can result in fines and jail time.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Every year, there are more than three million reports of child abuse<\/span> involving almost six million children. More than 500,000 instances are confirmed as child abuse<\/span> or neglect. And every day, between four and five children are killed by child abuse<\/span> or neglect.<\/p>\n

Child abuse<\/span> laws help protect children from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse<\/span><\/a>. States have laws prohibiting child abuse<\/span> as well as laws requiring certain people to report suspected abuse.<\/p>\n

South Carolina<\/span>\u2019s child abuse<\/span> laws require certain third parties, like school employees and physicians, to report knowledge or suspicion<\/a> of abuse to law enforcement.<\/p>\n

State child abuse<\/span> laws<\/a> may vary in what they prohibit and their reporting requirements. This article explains South Carolina<\/span>\u2019s child abuse<\/span> statutes<\/a>, including the possible penalties for crimes involving child victims. It also clarifies how mandatory reporting<\/span> laws work in South Carolina<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If you still have questions about your child abuse<\/span> case, contact a local criminal defense attorney or child abuse<\/span> lawyer in South Carolina<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

How South Carolina<\/span> Defines Child Abuse<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Under South Carolina<\/span> law, child abuse<\/span> occurs when someone harms or threatens to harm a child or negatively impacts child welfare<\/span><\/a>. State law<\/span> prohibits the following:<\/p>\n