Connecticut State Department of Children and Families

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Child Abuse and Neglect Definitions

The following are general definitions (See Policy 22-3):

Educational Neglect
Emotional Maltreatment - Abuse
Emotional Neglect
Medical Neglect
Moral Neglect
Physical Abuse
Physical Neglect
Sexual Abuse/Exploitation

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PHYSICAL ABUSE

A child may be found to have been physically abused who:

  • has been inflicted with physical injury or injuries other than by accidental means,
  • is in a condition which is the result of maltreatment such as, but not limited to,   malnutrition, sexual molestation, deprivation of necessities, emotional maltreatment or cruel punishment, and/or
  • has injuries at variance with the history given of them.

Evidence of physical abuse includes:

  • excessive physical punishment
  • bruises, scratches, lacerations
  • burns, and/or scalds
  • reddening or blistering of the tissue through application of heat by fire, chemical substances, cigarettes, matches, electricity, scalding water, friction, etc.
  • injuries to bone, muscle, cartilage, ligaments:
    fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, displacements, hematomas, etc.
  • head injuries
  • internal injuries
  • death
  • misuse of medical treatments or therapies
  • malnutrition related to acts of commission or omission by an established caregiver resulting in a child’s malnourished state that can be supported by professional medical opinion
  • deprivation of necessities acts of  commission or omission by an established caregiver resulting in physical harm to child
  • cruel punishment.

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SEXUAL ABUSE / EXPLOITATION

Sexual Abuse/Exploitation is any incident involving a child(ren)’s non-accidental exposure to sexual behavior.

Evidence of sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to the following:

  • rape
  • penetration:  digital, penile, or foreign objects
  • oral / genital contact
  • indecent exposure for the purpose of sexual gratification of the offender, or for purposes of shaming, humiliating, shocking or exerting control over the victim
  • incest
  • fondling, including kissing, for the purpose of sexual gratification of the offender, or for purposes of shaming, humiliating, shocking or exerting control over the victim
  • sexual exploitation, including possession, manufacture, or distribution of child pornography. online enticement of a child for sexual acts, child prostitution, child-sex tourism, unsolicited obscene material sent to a child, or misleading domain name likely to attract  a child to an inappropriate website   
  • coercing or forcing a child to participate in, or be negligently exposed to, pornography and/or sexual behavior
  • disease or condition that arises from sexual transmission
  • other verbal, written or physical behavior not overtly sexual but likely designed to “groom” a child for future sexual abuse.

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EMOTIONAL MALTREATMENT - ABUSE

Emotional Maltreatment-Abuse are: act(s), statement(s), or threats, which

  • has had, or is likely to have an adverse impact on the child, and/or
  • interferes with a child’s positive emotional development.

Evidence of  emotional maltreatment-abuse includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • rejecting
  • degrading
  • isolating and/or victimizing a child by means of cruel, unusual, or excessive methods of discipline
  • exposing the child to brutal or intimidating acts or statements.

Indicators of Adverse Impact of emotional maltreatment-abuse may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • depression    
  • withdrawal
  • low self-esteem
  • anxiety
  • fear
  • aggression/ passivity
  • emotional instability
  • sleep disturbances
  • somatic complaints with no medical basis
  • inappropriate behavior for age or development
  • suicidal ideations or attempts
  • extreme dependence
  • academic regression
  • and/or trust  issues
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PHYSICAL NEGLECT

A child may be found neglected who:

  • has been abandoned
  • is being denied proper care and attention physically, educationally, emotionally, or morally
  • is being permitted to live under conditions, circumstances or associations injurious to his well-being
  • has been abused.

Evidence of physical neglect includes, but is not limited to:

  • Inadequate food
  • Malnutrition
  • Inadequate clothing
  • Inadequate housing or shelter
  • erratic, deviant, or impaired behavior by the person responsible for the child’s health, welfare or care; by a person given access to the child; or by a person entrusted with the child’s care which adversely impacts the child
  • permitting the child to live under conditions, circumstances or associations injurious to his well-being including, but not limited to, the following:
    • substance abuse by caregiver, which adversely impacts the child physically
    • substance abuse by the mother of a newborn child and the newborn has a positive urine or meconium toxicology for drugs
    • psychiatric problem of  the caregiver which adversely impacts the child physically
    • exposure to family violence which adversely impacts the child physically
    • exposure to violent events, situations, or persons that would be reasonably judged to compromise a child’s physical safety
    • non-accidental, negligent exposure to drug trafficking and/or individuals engaged in the active abuse of illegal substances
    • voluntarily and knowingly entrusting the care of a child to individuals who may be disqualified to provide safe care, e.g. persons who are subject to active protective or restraining orders; persons with past history of violent/drug/sex crimes; persons appearing on the Central Registry
    • non-accidental or negligent exposure to pornography or sexual acts
    • inability to consistently provide the minimum of child-caring tasks
    • inability to provide or maintain a safe living environment
  • action/inaction resulting in death
  • abandonment
  • action/inaction resulting in the child’s failure to thrive
  • transience
  • inadequate supervision:
    creating or allowing a circumstance in which a child is alone for an excessive period of time given the child’s age and cognitive abilities
  • holding the child responsible for the care of siblings or others beyond the child’s ability
  • failure to provide reasonable and proper supervision of a child given the child’s age and cognitive abilities.
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MEDICAL NEGLECT

Medical Neglect is the unreasonable delay, refusal or failure on the part of the person responsible for the child's health, welfare or care or the person entrusted with the child’s care to seek, obtain, and/or maintain those services for necessary medical, dental or mental health care when such person knows, or should reasonably be expected to know, that such actions may have an adverse impact on the child. 

Evidence of medical neglect includes, but is not limited to:

  • frequently missed appointments, therapies or other necessary medical and/or mental health treatments
  • withholding or failing to obtain or maintain medically necessary treatment from a child with life-threatening, acute or chronic medical or mental health conditions
  • withholding medically indicated treatment from disabled infants with life threatening conditions.

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EDUCATIONAL NEGLECT

Educational Neglect occurs when, by action or inaction, the parent or person having control of a child five (5) years of age and older and under eighteen (18) years of age who is not a high school graduate

  • fails to register the child in school
  • fails to allow the child to attend school or receive home instruction in accordance with CONN. GEN. STAT. §10-184
  • failure to take appropriate steps to ensure regular attendance at school if the child is registered. 

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EMOTIONAL NEGLECT

Emotional Neglect is the denial of proper care and attention, or failure to respond, to a child’s affective needs by the person responsible for the child's health, welfare or care; by the person given access to the child; or by the person entrusted with the child’s care which has an adverse impact on the child or seriously interferes with a child’s positive emotional development.

Evidence of emotional neglect includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • inappropriate expectations of the child given the child's developmental level
  • failure to provide the child with appropriate support, attention and affection
  • permitting the child to live under conditions, circumstances or associations injurious to his well-being including, but not limited to, the following:
    • substance abuse by caregiver, which adversely impacts the child emotionally
    • psychiatric problem of the caregiver, which adversely impacts the  child emotionally, and
    • exposure to family violence which adversely impacts the child emotionally.

 Indicators may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • depression
  • withdrawal
  • low self-esteem
  • anxiety
  • fear
  • aggression/ passivity
  • emotional instability
  • sleep disturbances
  • somatic complaints with no medical basis
  • inappropriate behavior for age or development
  • suicidal ideations or attempts
  • extreme dependence
  • academic regression
  • trust issues.

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MORAL NEGLECT

Moral Neglect:  Exposing, allowing, or encouraging the child to engage in illegal or reprehensible activities by the person responsible for the child’s health, welfare or care or person given access or person entrusted with the child’s care. 

Evidence of Moral Neglect includes but is not limited to:

  • stealing
  • using drugs and/or alcohol, and
  • involving a child in the commission of a crime, directly or by caregiver indifference.