Iowa Child Abuse Laws

Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016

Keeping our children safe is everyone's priority and it is up to all of to do our part to prevent child abuse. Iowa has strict statutes laws protecting children from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. This is an introduction to child abuse laws in Iowa.

Child Abuse Statutes

Each state's child abuse laws may vary slightly, but have the same general intent and protections. Iowa's statutes criminalize any non-accidental physical or mental injury to a child. Iowa' Department of Human Services has resources that can help you report and learn more about child abuse. The chart below lists the details of Iowa's child abuse statutes.

Code Section	Iowa Code 232.67, et seq.: Child Abuse
What Constitutes Abuse	Any non-accidental physical injury or mental injury to child's intellectual or psychological capacity as evidenced by substantial and observable impairment in child's ability to function within normal range; commission of sexual offense; an illegal drug present in child's body; allowing prostitution; failure in care of child to provide food, shelter, or clothing necessary for child's health and welfare
Mandatory Reporting Required By	Any health practitioner, social workers, psychologist, school employee, day care center employees, substance abuse program employee, human services institution employee, peace officer, juvenile detention or shelter care employee, mental health professional, counselor, foster care facility operator or employee; any other person may make a report
Basis of Report of Abuse/neglect	Reasonably believes a child has suffered abuse
To Whom Reported	State Department of Human Services
Penalty for Failure to Report or False Reporting	Knowingly and willfully fails to report: simple misdemeanor and civilly liable for proximately caused damages; knowing false report: simple misdemeanor

Many of us may just don't know how prevalent child abuse is. There are over 3 million reports of child abuse in the United States each year, involving almost 6 million children. Every day four children are killed by child abuse or neglect. If you suspect someone is abusing or neglecting a child, there are state child abuse resources that can help. Additionally, FindLaw has information in its Where to Get Help for Child Abuse section.