Definitions and Descriptions of Child Abuse

Child abuse includes physical abuse, physical neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse inflicted by a parent or other caretaker.

2008 Child Abuse and Neglect Fact Sheet

PDF of Prevent Child Abuse New York's Report, the Costs and Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect

New York State Law

In New York State, Social Services Law (SSL) and the Family Court Act (FCA) deal with child abuse and maltreatment in a familial context. Title Six of Article Six of the Social Services Law, specifically Sections 411-428, define child abuse and maltreatment. Article 10 of the Family Court Act, specifically section 1012 of the FCA, further defines child abuse, maltreatment and other key terms commonly used in investigations and reports.

New York State law defines these types of abuses in the following ways:

Physical abuse is non-accidental physical injury of a child inflicted by a parent or caretaker which ranges from superficial bruises and welts to broken bones, burns, serious internal injuries and in some cases, death. The definition of physical abuse includes actions that create a substantial risk of physical injury to the child.

Physical neglect is withholding, or failing to provide, adequate food, shelter, clothing, hygiene, medical care, education, and/or supervision, such that the child’s physical, mental or emotional condition is impaired or at imminent risk of being impaired.

Sexual abuse is when a parent or caretaker commits a sexual offense against a child or allows a sexual offense to be committed, such as rape, sodomy, engaging a child in sexual activity, engaging a child in - or promoting a child’s—sexual performance.

More information about recognizing and reporting sexual abuse. More information about protecting your children from sexual abuse.

Emotional abuse includes parents’ or caretakers’ acts or omissions that cause or could cause serious conduct, cognitive, affective, or other mental disorders. For example, torture, close confinement or the constant use of verbally abusive language to harshly criticize and denigrate a child. It also includes emotional neglect - withholding physical and emotional contact to the detriment of the child's normal emotional development, and in extreme cases, physical development.

Click here for information about recognizing and reporting emotional abuse.

Child abuse and neglect cross all ethnic, social and economic lines. 

Child abuse and neglect stymie children’s normal growth and development. Victims of child abuse suffer medical and developmental problems requiring long term health, mental health and special education services.

The consequences are wide-ranging and affect us all. Child abuse leads to other problems—long term health and mental health problems, drug addiction, runaways, juvenile violence and adult crime. Most violent prisoners in our jails were abused or neglected as children.

Child abuse is costly for society, as well as for its victims. New York State spends more than $2.3 billion a year to deal with the immediate and long-term results of the abuse and neglect of our children

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