Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/identifying-and-responding-to--child-neglect-in-parental-and-group-care/5022744/
In the field of child maltreatment research, child neglect is often considered the ‘neglected’ threat to a child’s well-being (Dubowitz, 2007). Child sexual and physical abuse tend to garner more media attention, yet child neglect in its many forms is the most common type of child maltreatment. In addition, child neglect alone constitutes nearly one-third of all child maltreatment fatalities (USDHHS, 2010). Because of the intimate settings in which we work with families, early care providers and administrators are perfectly positioned to recognize the signs of child neglect and make a life-saving difference.
Defining Neglect
According to the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), the term ‘child abuse and neglect’ is defined as “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.” Within these minimum standards set by CAPTA, each state is responsible for providing its own definition of child abuse and neglect. In other words, state and community standards of care become a critical interpretive factor. Generally, however, it is important for child care professionals across ...