What Is Child Abuse and Neglect?

Under California law, child abuse is a crime. Children need protection because they are vulnerable and often unable to speak for themselves. The California Child
Abuse Reporting Law, along with other state laws, provides the legal basis for action to protect children and to allow intervention by public agencies if a child is maltreated. California law defines child abuse as any of the following:

• A child is physically injured by other than accidental means
• A child is subjected to willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment
• A child is abused or exploited sexually
• A child is neglected by a parent or caretaker who fails to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care or supervision.

Any child may be victimized. Child abuse crosses all socioeconomic, ethnic, cultural, occupational, religious and age groups. It can occur in the child’s home or outside the family. Tragically, it happens most often at home, and usually the abuser is known to the child. Generally, the abuser is a caretaker. A caretaker can be a parent, stepparent, relative or a child care provider.

Source: Child Abuse Reporting…and You