Child Neglect : Neglect As A Form Of Child Abuse

The victimization rate is 12.0 per 1,000 children (Children’s Bureau 2013). There were no specific reliable statistics about neglect in particular so it is uncertain how the reports of neglect compare to state and national averages. On the bright side, Multnomah country was found to be the only county in Oregon that “offered all 11 programs from CTFO’s Preserving Childhood” (Nygren, Green and Gordon 2014). So while it may seem apparent that Multnomah County is worse than the national average, it seems that people are aware of the issue and are implementing programs to combat the prevalence of abuse and neglect in the

Child abuse and neglect is a big problem in the United States. Child abuse is sexual, physical, emotional, and even verbal maltreatment towards the children. When food, clothing, and shelter is not provided this is termed neglect. Many children in the United States are abused and neglected by parents, grandparents, guardians, and friends of the family. Many children suffer abuse such as beating, starved,

Neglect is the most common form of child abuse. The parent or caregiver fails to provide basic needs for the child. Neglected children are constantly

Child abuse means somebody can cause physical injury on a child by no accidental means, causing death, skin bruising, scar, emotional health or impairment of physical. Neglect is the failure to give a child’s basic needs that means educational, physical, emotional and medical needs. Very young children, ages 4 and younger are most likely being physically abused and they are the most repeated victims of child fatalities. 80.8% of wounded cases reported as the children of ages less than 4 years old.

Neglect has been described as the “most serious type of child maltreatment and the least understood” (Crittenden 1999: 67). It is the most common reason for inclusion on the child protection register in the UK. In the year ending 31st March 2006, 43 per cent of child protection registrations in England related to children considered to be at risk of neglect (Source: DfES, 2006)

The issue of child neglect is one of the most current forms of child maltreatment especially in the United States. According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, child neglect is referred to as a kind of maltreatment which relates to the failure of a caregiver to offer the needed, age-appropriate care, despite the fact that the parent may be financially stable to do so (Conte 13). Neglect in many instances is described by an ongoing pattern that relates to lack of care and is observed by individuals in close contact with a child.

       Through research, neglect is considered the far most common form of child mistreatment in the United States.  (Child Neglect Criminal Law, 2012), provides different percentages of types of abuse and they are 78.3% of child maltreatment victims suffered neglect, 18.3% suffered physical abuse, and 9.3% suffered sexually abuse. In 2012, the United States reported that over 2,200 children died of abuse and neglect, and majority of them died because of neglect.  Over a period of time, those that survived tend develop attention and language

Lastly, the definition of child neglect according to Child Help is “when a parent or caregiver does not give the care, supervision, affection, and support needed for a child’s health, safety, and well-being.” (Childhelporg,

This paper discusses several articles, as well as some college texts, that define and illuminate the four main types of child abuse that exist within the United States. It also discusses some of the effects of abuse and attempts to offer some solutions for this very prevalent societal problem. The definitions of child abuse and neglect vary, based on the context in which they have been studied. Some studies suggest that neglect is the most prevalent type of child abuse in this country. Kaplan, Schene, DePanfilis, and Gilmore assert that neglect becomes chronic when its occurrence is not only ongoing, but seriously deprives a child of basic physical, developmental, and/or emotional needs by someone who cares for them. Whatever

Many scholars have stated that child neglect is the most common form of maltreatment. Neglect is less obvious than physical or sexual abuse, and it may take years for outsiders to ever notice that a child is a victim. Neglect has many faces, forms, and appearances. According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), of the approximately 681,000 children in the United States who were victims of abuse and neglect in 2011, 78.5 percent (531,000 children) suffered from neglect alone, including medical neglect (USDHHS, 2011). In the US, there are many children who are experiencing neglect from their parents or caregivers, and often times it goes unreported. In this paper I will discuss what is child neglect, what the many causes of neglect are, the different types of neglect, long-term effects, and how to recognize the signs of neglect: physical and behavioral indicators.

According to NSPCC there are more than 50,000 children in the UK are abused and neglected annually, this estimates that there are 8 children suffering abuse for every one child that is identified. This is a strong link between socio-economic circumstances of families and the chances of the child experiencing abuse and neglect. This association extends across all developed countries, different types of abuse and culture variation depending on the culture however definitions and research methods deem equal to both poverty and child protection systems.

The Working Together to Safeguard Children report (2013) defines neglect as persistent failings to meet a child's basic physical and psychological needs, for which could result in the serious consequences of the child's health. In essence, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

Child neglect has been around for a long time. However, it was not until the late 1980s that public awareness began to enlarge to include recognition of the psychological consequences of neglect (Erickson and Egeland 4). Child neglect is a type of child maltreatment. It is a deficit in meeting a child’s basic needs, including lack of basic nutrition, health care, physical, emotional, education, and housing needs. There are many types of neglect in harsh areas and torn families that come for children. Physical signs of neglect include swellings/fractures/burns, dental pain or decay, faltering weight, and developmental delay. Other signs include chronic nappy rash, poor hygiene, and severe and persistent immunizations. Neglect can cause several psychological, social, and emotional issues for children. These include attachment issues, depression, behavioral disorders, social interaction difficulties, communication issues, eating disorders, and exhibiting deficits in cognitive performance. If not treated, these issues will continue or worsen. Neglected children should receive treatment needed at an early age. Due to these complications that come for children who face neglect, available services have increased so that they may receive care. A case study about a girl named Susan from Tupelo, Mississippi will discuss the effects of neglect along with resources and services to help her with the effects of her neglect and childhood difficulties.

With child abuse and neglect being so prevalent globally, it is important to recognize why these types of maltreatment occur and is a relevant topic for all to explore. Many are interested in how child abuse and neglect affect the individuals who are victims as well as the use and efficacy of treatment procedures. Child abuse has serious physical and psycho-social consequences which adversely affect the health and overall well-being of a child. There are long-term consequences of experiencing these forms of maltreatment. Awareness and understanding needs to be brought to this devastatingly common crisis and the advancement of child abuse and neglect prevention needs to be encouraged.

The issue of child abuse and neglect is serious, controversial, and is escalating in today’s society. Many people are not aware, but child abuse is rampant in our society. Many child abuse and neglect cases go unreported because a person may not know the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect or perhaps the person or person may feel that this is an private issue and needs to be handle with in the home and no outsiders should be involved. Without the proper awareness of child abuse and neglect and the involvement of everyone this issue will continue to raise our eyebrows.