In the last year, at least 1 in 7 children experienced abuse or neglect, according to the CDC.
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about child mistreatment, highlight the importance of creating systems and programs that support children and families, and recognize that every person in a community plays a role in preventing and identifying child abuse and neglect. To learn about what kinds of signs and symptoms may indicate a child you know is being mistreated, and what to do if you see abuse, neglect, or mistreatment, read on.
According to the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), child abuse and neglect includes the following situations where a child’s health or welfare is “harmed or at substantial risk of being harmed”: visible or invisible physical injury; failure to administer proper care or attention; leaving a child inappropriately unattended; sexual molestation or exploitation (regardless of whether or not the child is injured); and/or “identifiable and substantial impairment of a child’s mental or psychological ability to function.”
There a number of factors that can affect a child’s risk for mistreatment - some of them are related to a child’s age, health, and physical, social, emotional, and mental development, while others are associated with a child’s family makeup and their parent(s)/caregiver(s).
Specifically, Children whose caregivers suffer from mental health conditions and substance use disorders, as well as those whose parents are adolescents, may be more likely to experience abuse. Adults who abuse their partners or have previously exhibited domestic violence may be more likely to abuse children, as well, so it’s essential that you document any instances of domestic abuse to the appropriate authorities, and document the incident(s) as best as you can. If you are in the midst of a divorce or child custody matter and your co-parent has abused you or a child in the past, be sure to present any documentation to the court.
Some children may display nearly all of the signs, while others won’t show any. However, suspicion of abuse is enough to warrant making a report to the appropriate authorities for further investigation, especially if you see multiple and/or recurring signs of possible abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of a child you know.
Children who exhibit the following signs may be experiencing abuse at home and/or by a trusted adult:
Children who are experiencing neglect at home and/or by a trusted adult may:
Neglect and abuse are not mutually exclusive, as many children experience both at the same time. The lists above are not a comprehensive list of signs and symptoms of mistreatment. For more resources about identifying abuse and neglect, keep scrolling.
If you or a child you know is in danger of imminent harm, call 911. To report possible abuse or neglect, if you see any of the above signs/symptoms, or suspect mistreatment for any reason, contact Maryland Child Protective Services, the DC Child and Family Services Agency, or other local child protective services agency, local law enforcement, or reach out to the National Child Abuse Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting their website or calling or texting 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).
It’s important to note that reporting possible abuse does not constitute an accusation, but will ensure that the child and their family receive necessary services and intervention to keep everyone safe. In Maryland, you have the right to make an anonymous report, and reports of possible abuse are immune from civil liability (unless the report is made maliciously, or purposefully erroneously).
If you're navigating a divorce, child custody, or domestic violence matter that involves confirmed or suspected child abuse, contact a qualified family law attorney immediately for guidance on keeping your kids safe. For compassionate counsel, call (301) 388-5528 or email us at hello@zfamilylaw.com.