Safe and Fear-free Environment, Inc. (SAFE)

Child Abuse Hurts Too Many

What do we mean when we talk about child abuse? Does it mean if I spank my kids I beat them? If I don't have running water does that mean neglect. In a short answer no. To find out more about the definitions of abuse follow the links below.

In Alaska, the definitions of child abuse and neglect are aligned with federal legislation that lays the groundwork for our state laws. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA, 42 U.S.C. § 5101) provides the federal minimum definition of child abuse and neglect:

‘‘the term ‘child abuse and neglect’ means, at a minimum, 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”

While there are multiple state civil and criminal statutes as well as additional federal law that further define child abuse and neglect from a legal perspective, it is not the reporter’s responsibility to try to interpret state or federal law. This training provides definitions in layman’s terms for abuse and neglect which will serve as a better guide for most mandatory reporters for helping to identify child maltreatment. Most important to remember is that when in doubt it is your duty to report. It is the job of OCS to make the determination of whether abuse has occurred.

There are the four major types of abuse and neglect:

Physical Abuse
Neglect
Sexual Abuse
Mental Injury

Alaska Definition