Child Maltreatment
Child Maltreatment
Child Maltreatment

Definition: Child maltreatment includes the physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect of a child or adolescent by an adult.
Magnitude of the Problem: Child Protective Services (CPS) estimated that there were 695,000 victims of child maltreatment in the U.S. during the 2010 fiscal year. According to a CDC study, child maltreatment costs the country close to $124 billion each year. It is associated with a number of short- and long-term health problems and injuries, such as:
- broken bones;
- developmental delays;
- depression;
- alcohol abuse;
- heart and liver disease;
- cancer;
- severe obesity; and
- elevated risk of becoming an abuser.
Prevention: While providing services to children who have been abused or neglected is essential, the public health approach to child maltreatment relies on a primary prevention focus, examining and addressing risk factors associated with abuse and creating programs that support and promote healthy and safe relationships, such as home visiting programs for new parents.
CSN Resource Guide
CSN Infographics
CSN Webinars
- Traumatic Brain Injury among Children and Youth: Understanding TBI and One Model State Program Feb 2019
- Working “Upstream” to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Sep 2018
- Understanding Evidence for Child Maltreatment Prevention: A Demonstration of CDCs Interactive Tool to Support Evidence-Based Decision Making Jul 2013
- South to Southwest (S2SW) Webinar Innovations in Child Maltreatment Surveillance: Using Data to Move towards Prevention May 2013
- Child Death Review Findings: A Road Map for MCH Injury and Violence Prevention; Part I Aug 2007
CSN Blogs
Injury Prevention Links
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
- CDC Child Maltreatment
- Child Abuse Prevention Resources from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
- Children's Bureau/ACYF - Child Welfare Information Gateway
- FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention
- National Center for Children in Poverty
- National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
- National Child Abuse Prevention Month Resources
- National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP)
- Prevent Child Abuse America
- Stop It Now! The Campaign to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
Useful Publications
- Preventing Child Maltreatment through the Promotion of Safe, Stable, and Nurturing Relationships Between Children and Caregivers Jun 2015
- National Plan to Prevent the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Jun 2015
- Child Maltreatment 2013 Jan 2015
- Strengthening Families and Communities: 2015 Resource Guide Jan 2015
- Child Abuse & Neglect Deaths in America 2012 Jul 2012
- Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma: Recommended Definitions for Public Health Surveillance and Research | CDC May 2012
- Child Welfare Outcomes 2006-2009: Report to Congress Mar 2012
- National Plan to Prevent the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Mar 2012
- Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being: A Network for Action 2012 Resource Guide Mar 2012
- Strengthening Families Research in Brief: Risk and Protective Factors Jan 2010
- Children's Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Study Oct 2009
- The Future of Children Preventing Child Maltreatment Volume 19 Number 2 Fall 2009 Oct 2009
- Growing What Works: Lessons Learned from Pennsylvania's Nurse-Family Partnership Initiative Sep 2009
- Promising Teen Fatherhood Programs: Initial Evidence Lessons from Evidence-Based Research Sep 2008
- CDC Fact Sheet - Understanding Child Maltreatment Feb 2008