New Jersey Child Abuse Laws

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.

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.

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).

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).

New Jersey Child Abuse Laws

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 parents abuse them.

New Jersey law defines child abuse in considerable detail, with subsections for abuse, abandonment, cruelty, and neglect.

• Abuse consists of allowing the child to work in a job that endangers the child's health or morals, using excessive physical restraint in circumstances where it is not justified, or emotional or social deprivation.
• Abandonment means intentionally leaving a child without physical protection or care, such that the child is left under public care.
• Cruelty means unnecessarily severe corporal punishment causing unnecessary pain, any willful act or omission that inflicts mental or physical suffering on a child, or exposing a child to hardships that may injure the health or well-being of the child.
• Neglect of a child is any intentional act or omission resulting in the child lacking adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or education as required by law.

Sexual abuse may be part of a child abuse case. In general, sexual abuse of a minor is a separate, more serious crime addressed under New Jersey's criminal code 2C § 14-2. Abuse can also consist of failing to monitor placement in a facility after allegations of child abuse have emerged (9 § 6-8.9(f)).

New Jersey allows parents to use corporal punishment on their own children, provided it is "reasonable." Schools may not use corporal punishment even with parental permission.

Mandatory Reporters

The state of New Jersey requires anyone with reasonable belief a child has been a victim of child abuse to report to the State Central Registry (SCR). Reporters should let law enforcement know about a child in immediate danger.

Having such knowledge and failing to report a child at risk of harm is a fourth-degree crime. The DCF hotline takes anonymous calls to protect the reporter's identity. DCF investigates calls within 24 hours.

If your report is in error, you are safe from criminal or civil charges, provided you acted in good faith. However, in 2024, New Jersey legislators introduced a bill that would make it a criminal act to knowingly and intentionally file fraudulent child abuse charges.

Child Victims Act of 2019

In 2019, New Jersey enacted the New Jersey Child Victims Act (NJCVA), a sweeping change to the statutes of limitations laws that permitted victims of child sexual abuse to bring actions against their abusers.

Recognizing that childhood sexual abuse may cause such children to deny or disregard the harm done to them, the legislators extended the statutory period. They increased the number of potential abusers a victim could file suit against. The NJCVA:

• Increases the statute of limitations from five years to seven years after a recognition of the harm, or up to age 55, whichever is first
• Allows claims against institutions or organizations that allowed or enabled the abuse
• Eliminates the notice of claim requirement before filing suit
• Allows claims of psychological or emotional abuse

The NJCVA prohibits class action lawsuits. Only individuals may file claims under the law. The changes enacted by the NJCVA affected portions of New Jersey statutes 2A § 61B-1, 2A § 14-2a, and C.2A:53A-7.

Note: State laws are subject to change through the passage of new legislation, court rulings (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. FindLaw strives to provide the most current information available. Consult an attorney before making any legal decisions.

Research the Law

• New Jersey Law
• Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.

New Jersey Child Abuse Laws: Related Resources

• Child Abuse Overview
• How to Report Child Abuse
• Are You a Mandatory Reporter of Child Abuse?
• Find a Family Law Attorney

Get Legal Advice from a New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney

Judges in child welfare cases always err on the side of the child. Reports of child abuse may result in a child's removal from the parents while the court decides the case. If you find yourself facing child abuse charges, you need a New Jersey criminal defense attorney or a family law attorney immediately. The emotional and physical well-being of your child is paramount.