What is child abuse and neglect? How does my state define child abuse and neglect?

Federal law (PDF) defines child abuse and neglect as "any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation. . .or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm."

Within these guidelines, each state is responsible for providing its own definitions of child abuse and neglect. Most states recognize four major types of maltreatment: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. Additionally, many states identify abandonment, parental substance use, and human trafficking as abuse or neglect. Types of maltreatment can occur separately or in combination. 

Child Welfare Information Gateway, a service of the Children's Bureau, provides summaries of state laws defining the conduct, acts, and omissions that constitute child abuse or neglect that must be reported to child protective agencies.

The Information Gateway factsheet What Is Child Abuse and Neglect? Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms provides a description of the various types of abuse and neglect.