Updated CFCA Fact sheet
Child maltreatment refers to any non-accidental behavior by parents, caregivers, other adults or older adolescents that is outside the norms of conduct and entails a substantial risk of causing physical or emotional harm to a child or young person. Such behaviors may be intentional or unintentional and can include acts of omission (i.e., neglect) and commission (i.e., abuse).
Child maltreatment is commonly divided into four subtypes:
- physical abuse;
- emotional maltreatment (including the witnessing of family violence);
- neglect; and
- sexual abuse.
For the complete Fact sheet, see – Reporting abuse and neglect: State and territory departments responsible for protecting children