In this Article

• What is the scope of the child abuse problem?
• What age child is abused?
• Are girls more often abused than boys?
• Is the pattern of abuse different for girls and boys?
• What is known about the perpetrators of child abuse?
• Is there an association between poverty and child abuse?
• Who abuses children?
• What is child abuse?
• What does the term child neglect include?
• What actions are viewed as physical child abuse?
• What constitutes emotional child abuse?
• What is sexual child abuse?
• What causes child abuse deaths?
• What factors predispose a person to child abuse?
• How is alleged child abuse evaluated?
• How is child abuse treated?
• How can child abuse be prevented?
• What more can be done to prevent child neglect?
• Are people who were abused as children more likely to become criminals later in life?
• Child Abuse At A Glance
• Child Abuse Glossary
• Child Abuse Index

Is there an association between poverty and child abuse?

While children of families in all income levels suffer maltreatment, research suggests that family income is strongly related to incidence rates. Children from families with annual incomes below $15,000 per year are more than 25 times more likely than children from families with annual income above $30,000 to be harmed or endangered by abuse or neglect. Poverty clearly predisposes to child abuse. Currently, social scientists are questioning the previous interpretation of such data. Recently new research is challenging this belief. Some argue that poor families have increased contact with reporting agencies -- social workers, police, etc. Some also argue that affluent families are more often given the "benefit of the doubt" by those who might be more suspicious of poorer means. In addition, wealthier families are felt to have a better access to legal counsel that, realistically or not, provide an "escape hatch" from investigation and prosecution.

Who abuses children?

According to the statistics, the majority of perpetrators of child mistreatment (77%) are parents and another 11% are other relatives of the victim. People who are in other caretaking relationships to the victim (for example, child-care providers, foster parents, and facility staff) account for only 2% of the offenders. About 10% of all perpetrators are classified as non-caretakers or unknown. In many states, child abusers by definition must be in a caretaking role.

An estimated 81% of all offenders are under age 40. Overall, approximately 61% of perpetrators are female, although the gender of the abuser differs by the type of mistreatment. Neglect and medical neglect are most often attributed to female caretakers, while sexual abuse is most often associated with male offenders.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Dissociative Identity Disorder - Read about dissociative identity disorder (formerly multiple personality disorder or split personality disorder) symptoms, signs, causes, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
• Rhabdomyolysis - Read about rhabdomyolysis, the rapid destruction of skeletal muscle. Some causes include medicaitons (statins), drugs or alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, viruses, infection, severe hypothyroidsim and more.
• Borderline Personality Disorder - Learn about borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms, causes and diagnosis. Treatment involves medication and psychotherapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Read more Child Abuse related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Obesity Is Biggest Health Problem for Kids
• Abused Kids Face Higher Cancer Risk
• Health Highlights: May 28, 2009
• Childhood Sexual Abuse Might Spur Early Periods