Child abuse & neglect
Every child deserves to be safe and cared for. One caring adult can change everything.
What is child abuse and neglect?
Harm to a child by an adult responsible for them, and the four main types.
Child abuse and neglect is any harm, or threat of harm, to a child under 18 by a parent, caregiver or another adult responsible for them. CDC says at least 1 in 7 U.S. children experienced abuse or neglect in the past year, and that this is likely an undercount.
Most child protection cases are about neglect. In 2023, nearly two in three cases were related to neglect. Poverty puts real stress on families, but being poor is not the same as neglect.
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CDC describes emotional abuse as behavior that harms a child’s self-worth or emotional well-being, such as name-calling, shaming, rejecting or withholding love.
Adults who grew up with this often carry it for years. The Growing up with an abusive parent guide looks at the effects in adulthood.
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Neglect is failing to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs, such as housing, food, clothing, education, health care and emotional support.
Families struggling to meet basic needs can call or text 211 for local help with food, housing and bills. Getting support early is a strength, not a failure.
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CDC describes physical abuse as using force on purpose in a way that can injure a child, such as hitting, kicking or shaking.
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Child sexual abuse includes any sexual contact with a child, and non-touching acts too, like exposing a child to sexual activity. It is never the child’s fault.
The Childhood sexual abuse guide covers this in depth, gently: signs, why telling is hard, and support for adult survivors.
Signs a child may need help
Changes in a child, and in the adults around them, that are worth noticing.
There is no single sign of abuse. A sign does not prove a child is being harmed, since there can be other causes. But several signs together, or signs that keep happening, are a reason to be concerned and to get advice.
General signs in a child
- Arrives early, stays late, and does not want to go home
- Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
- Is overly compliant, passive or withdrawn
- Is reluctant to be around a particular person
- Lacks adult supervision
- Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
Tap each card for signs linked to each type of abuse, and signs in the adults around a child.
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- Fading bruises or marks after time away from school
- Seems frightened of their parents, or protests when it is time to go home
- Shrinks at the approach of adults
- Unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones or black eyes
In adults: explanations for a child’s injury that don’t make sense, or harsh physical discipline.
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- Begs or steals food or money
- Is often absent from school
- Lacks needed medical or dental care, or glasses
- Lacks clothing for the weather
- Says there is no one at home to look after them
Struggling with money is not neglect on its own. Support for the family often helps the most.
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- Nightmares or bedwetting
- Runs away
- Sexual knowledge or behavior unusual for their age
- Sudden change in appetite
- Suddenly refuses to go to school
In adults: trying to be the child’s friend rather than an adult, making excuses to be alone with the child, or sharing adult problems with them.
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- Delays in physical or emotional development
- Extremes in behavior, like very passive or very aggressive
- Seems far older than their age, like parenting other children, or much younger
- Signs of depression or thoughts of suicide
In adults: constantly blaming, belittling or rejecting the child, or describing them negatively.
How abuse affects children
Effects can last, but safe adults make a real difference.
CDC links child abuse with injuries, anxiety and post-traumatic stress in the short term. Long-term, it can raise the risk of later violence, substance use, and problems with school and work.
Ongoing “toxic stress” can change how a child’s brain develops, and raise the risk of learning, attention and memory difficulties. WHO says children who experience violence are 13% more likely not to finish school.
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Child Welfare Information Gateway calls a child’s ability to cope and thrive after trauma “resilience”. With help, many children work through and overcome their experiences.
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CDC says everyone benefits when children have safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. A caring adult outside the family, like a mentor or coach, is also protective.
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WHO notes that violence can pass across generations. But support, healing and new parenting skills can break that pattern.
The “Generational trauma: understanding it” guide explores this.
If you are a young person being hurt
It is not your fault, and you can tell someone.
If an adult is hurting you, scaring you, touching you in ways that feel wrong, or not looking after you, it is not your fault. You did not cause it, and you deserve to be safe.
What you can do
- If you are in danger right now, call 911.
- Tell a trusted adult, like a teacher, school counselor, coach, nurse or relative.
- If the first person doesn’t help, tell someone else. Keep telling until someone listens.
- Call or text Childhelp at 1-800-422-4453, or chat online, to talk about what is happening.
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Childhelp is a safe place to talk. It is not a reporting line and is not connected to 911. If you share details that identify a child being hurt, counselors may share them with people who can help keep that child safe.
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People who hurt children often say to keep it secret, or that no one will believe you. Telling is brave and it is the right thing to do. It is never “getting someone in trouble”. The adult made that choice.
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The Growing up with an abusive parent guide has a plan you can fill in for when home doesn’t feel safe. The Child Protective Services (CPS) guide explains what happens if CPS gets involved.
When a child tells you
Stay calm, believe them, and get help.
Children may tell directly, or hint at what is happening. Your reaction can shape whether they keep talking. You don’t need to be an expert. Calm and caring is enough.
What to do
- Stay calm. Strong shock or anger can make a child shut down or feel it is their fault.
- Find a private, comfortable place to talk.
- Thank them for telling you, and tell them you believe them.
- Tell them it is not their fault.
- Listen more than you talk. Let them use their own words.
- Don’t ask leading questions, like naming a person or place.
- Get help: call Childhelp at 1-800-422-4453, report to CPS or police, or call 911 if they are in danger.
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- “I believe you.”
- “I’m going to help.”
- “I’m so glad you told me. That took a lot of courage.”
- “It’s not your fault.”
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You may need to tell people whose job is to protect children. It is kinder to be honest than to break a promise later. Let them know you will only tell people who can help.
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You don’t need proof. Reasonable suspicion is enough. Child protective services and law enforcement will investigate.
If you are worried about a child: reporting
You don’t need proof to get advice or report.
Any concerned person can report suspected child abuse or neglect to child protective services (CPS) or the police. Reporting is not making an accusation. It is a request for professionals to check whether a child and family need help.
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State laws require certain people, like teachers and doctors, to report suspected abuse. Some states require all adults to report. Reports are based on having reason to believe a child has been harmed, not on proof.
School staff can see the “Student mental health: a guide for school staff” guide.
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For where and how to report, contact your local child protective services agency or police. In some states you can report without giving your name.
If you are unsure, Childhelp (1-800-422-4453) can talk it through with you and point you to your state’s reporting line.
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The Child Protective Services (CPS) guide explains what happens after a report, possible outcomes, and families’ rights.
Prevention: supporting families
What raises risk, what protects children, and help for stressed parents.
Child abuse and neglect can be prevented. CDC says prevention means understanding what puts families at risk and what protects them. Rates are five times higher in families with low income, which shows how much stress and hardship matter.
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- Caregivers who were abused or neglected as children
- Caregivers with alcohol or drug problems, or mental health struggles
- Families cut off from friends, relatives and neighbors
- High levels of parenting or money stress
- Violence between adults in the home
Risk factors do not mean a family will be abusive. They show where support can help.
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- Access to safe housing, childcare and after-school programs
- Caregivers who are present, warm and interested in the child
- Caring adults outside the family, like mentors
- Families with strong support networks
- Help with money and health care when needed
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If you feel close to losing control, make sure your child is safe, then step away for a few minutes to breathe. Call a friend, a parenting helpline, or Childhelp, which also supports parents.
WHO says support that builds nurturing, non-violent parenting skills is one of the most effective ways to prevent abuse.
The “My calm-down plan” worksheet helps you prepare for hard moments.
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Call or text 211 to find local help with food, housing, utilities and more. It is free and confidential.
Keeping kids safe in schools, clubs & programs
What safe youth organizations do, and what to ask.
Abuse can happen in places trusted to look after children: schools, teams, camps, faith groups and youth clubs. Good organizations work hard to prevent it, and welcome questions.
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CDC guidance for youth-serving organizations says preventing child sexual abuse rests on six parts, within a culture where abuse is openly discussed, addressed and prevented.
The six parts
- A clear way to respond to rule-breaking, concerns and allegations
- Careful screening and selection of staff and volunteers
- Clear rules for how adults and young people interact
- Making sure spaces and activities are safe
- Monitoring behavior
- Prevention training for staff, volunteers, parents and young people
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WHO lists programs that teach children to recognize and report sexual abuse as one effective way to prevent it.
Simple messages
- Secrets that make you feel bad are okay to tell
- You can always tell me, and you won’t be in trouble
- Your body belongs to you
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If a child may be being harmed, you can report to CPS or the police yourself. You do not have to go through the organization first.
The “Choosing a safe youth program” worksheet turns CDC’s building blocks into questions you can ask.
Adults who were abused as children
How childhood abuse can follow you, and how healing happens.
Abuse and neglect in childhood are among the “adverse childhood experiences” (ACEs) that can affect health, relationships and opportunities into adulthood. That is not a life sentence. It is a reason to be gentle with yourself and to get support.
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Childhood maltreatment is a risk factor for depression and anxiety later in life. CDC also links ACEs to long-term health problems like heart disease and diabetes.
Some adults notice
- Being very hard on themselves
- Feeling on alert or numb
- Finding it hard to trust or ask for help
- Struggling with boundaries in relationships
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Trauma-informed therapy, support groups and safe relationships can help adults make sense of what happened. Healing does not require confronting the person who hurt you, or forgiving them.
The Therapies for trauma guide explains therapies that help.
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- Childhood sexual abuse
- Generational trauma & breaking cycles
- Growing up with an abusive parent
- Narcissistic parents, family & no contact
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Many survivors worry about repeating the past. Being worried is often a sign you care. CDC says safe, stable, nurturing relationships protect children, and these can be learned.
The Growing up with an abusive parent guide has a section on becoming a parent.
By the numbers
How common child abuse is, in the U.S. and worldwide.
United States
World
When and where to get help
Who to call, for children, worried adults and survivors.
Reach out if a child is being hurt, if you are worried, or if you are an adult still affected by your childhood. You do not need to be sure. Tap each card for details.
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Call 911 if a child is being hurt right now or a life is in danger.
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Childhelp is a safe, nonjudgmental place for children, teens, parents and other adults to talk about child abuse, by phone, text or chat. Spanish is available.
It is not a reporting line and is not connected to 911. Counselors can help you find your state’s child abuse reporting line.
How to reach them
- Call 1-800-422-4453
- Chat at childhelphotline.org
- Text GO to 1-800-422-4453
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Contact your local CPS agency or the police to report. The Child Protective Services (CPS) guide explains what happens next.
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211 connects people with local health and human services. Calls are confidential and can be anonymous.
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988 is free, confidential and open 24/7. You can also text HOME to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor.
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Choose your country and a topic to find child helplines and local support. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
📝 Worksheets for this guide
Fill these in privately in the app. Your answers stay on your phone.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Child Abuse and Neglect
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Risk and Protective Factors (Child Abuse and Neglect)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Child Sexual Abuse
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Adverse Childhood Experiences
- World Health Organization (WHO). Child maltreatment (fact sheet)
- Child Welfare Information Gateway, Children’s Bureau, U.S. HHS (2025). How the Child Welfare System Works (factsheet)
- Child Welfare Information Gateway, Children’s Bureau, U.S. HHS (2019). What Is Child Abuse and Neglect? Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms
- Child Welfare Information Gateway, Children’s Bureau, U.S. HHS (2023). Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect (State Statutes)
- Childhelp. Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
- Childhelp. What to Do If a Child Tells You They’re Being Abused: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2007). Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Within Youth-serving Organizations: Getting Started on Policies and Procedures
- 211 (United Way Worldwide). About 211
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Dial 211 for Essential Community Services
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Crisis Text Line. Crisis Text Line
- Find A Helpline (ThroughLine). Find A Helpline
This guide is for education and self-care. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. Please talk to a counselor or clinical provider about your health. Reviewed October 2026.
