NCJ Number
183742
Date Published
1997
Length
27 pages
Annotation
There are distinct differences between child abuse and child neglect that need to be emphasized and clarified; although significant issues of child neglect are often involved in serious child abuse cases, child neglect itself is often not addressed directly because these cases are frequently characterized primarily as either physical or sexual abuse.
Abstract
Child abuse issues carry more weight in court, partly because investigators can more easily define them and describe their effects. Child neglect is less readily recognized but still considered critical, and the result may be that a child receives treatment for physical and sexual abuse but little or no attention for symptoms of neglect. The outlook for neglected children, however, is not uniformly grim. Some research indicates that the majority of neglected children do not become delinquent, criminal, or violent and that many previously neglected children manage quite well. Of factors mitigating the consequences of profound neglect, the important seems to be the presence of an attentive person who takes a genuine interest in the child. Child neglect is psychologically, socially, medically, and financially costly, and fortunately some early intervention programs are being initiated to deal with the problem. Forms of child neglect are described, documentation and court presentation of child neglect is discussed, and guidelines for the treatment of neglected children and neglectful parents are offered. 50 references