11 Child Maltreatment
WARNING: This chapter contains information about child abuse, which may be triggering for some readers.
- Identify risk factors for child maltreatment.
- Discuss protective factors and prevention strategies.
- List signs of each type of maltreatment.
- Explain what mandated reporting is and who it applies to.
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LICENSING REGULATIONS WAC and RCW Regulations that relate to this chapter include:
WAC 110-06-0040 BACKGROUND CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS
RCW 43.216.270 FINGERPRINT CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS
Mandated Reporter Laws Child care providers are included in the professions that are required to report suspected child maltreatment by the Wash. Rev. Code § 26.44.030. |
Introduction
One more responsibility early childhood educators have to protect children’s safety is to understand what child maltreatment is, risk factors for child maltreatment, signs of different forms of child maltreatment, and what they should do to support children and families and what they must legally do if they suspect child maltreatment.
Looking at the Data
In 2017, there were 674,000 substantiated victims of child abuse and neglect across the U.S. The youngest children are the most vulnerable to maltreatment. Nationally, states report that more than one-quarter (28.5%) of victims are younger than 3 years old. The victimization rate is highest for children younger than 1-year-old at 25.3 per 1,000 children.
The percentages of child victims are similar for both boys (47.2%) and girls (52.5%). Eighty-nine percent of victims are maltreated by a mother acting alone (37.4%), a father acting alone (24.5%), or both parents (19.2%). More than 15.0 percent (15.8%) of victims are maltreated by a perpetrator who was not the child’s parent. The largest categories in the nonparent group are relative (5.8%), unmarried partner of parent (3.7%), and “other” (3.4%).
In 2022, a national estimate of 1,990 children died from abuse and neglect at a rate of 2.73 per 100,000 children in the population.[1]
Definitions
Child maltreatment includes all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role (such as clergy, a coach, a teacher) that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child. There are four common types of abuse and neglect: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.[2]
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is a nonaccidental physical injury to a child caused by a parent, caregiver, or other person responsible for a child and can include punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise causing physical harm. Physical discipline, such as spanking or paddling, is not considered abuse as long as it is reasonable and causes no bodily injury to the child. Injuries from physical abuse could range from minor bruises to severe fractures or death.
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ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA Abusive