Understanding Child Abuse & Neglect

Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, have a tremendous impact on the development of children’s brains and their bodies. Children who are abused or neglected are more likely as adolescents and adults to engage in risky health behaviors and even develop heart disease, cancer, depression, and other chronic conditions. Other Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs include witnessing partner violence or living with an adult with substance abuse or mental health problems. ACEs also impact the ability of a child, or adult, to learn and reach their full potential. As the number of ACEs increases, so does the risk for negative outcomes which is why it is important to create safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for children at home, at work, and in the community.

Child abuse and neglect can be prevented. Primary prevention approaches take place before violence occurs and may prevent it from ever occurring. Prevention strategies that work include strengthening economic supports to families; changing social norms to support parents and positive parenting; providing quality care and education early in life; and enhancing parenting skills to promote healthy child development. These approaches often result in cost savings for communities because they cost less than interventions over time to address the consequences of child abuse and neglect. For additional details on prevention strategies and approaches see Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect: A Technical Package for Policy, Norm, and Programmatic Activities.

Child abuse and neglect can be prevented through safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. Building a strong foundation of healthy relationships and environments can help children thrive and reach their full potential. When parents have healthy relationships and environments that they work and live in, they are better able to provide similar supports to their children.