Child Abuse.

Hundreds of thousands of children in the United States are estimated to be victims of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. Although society recognizes the harm caused by the abuse and neglect of children, many cases go unreported. Moreover, many of the reported cases result in little or no change in the child's situation. Questions about what should be considered child abuse, when to report suspected abuse, and the proper steps to take to remedy child abuse are hard to answer and are hotly debated among parents, educators, law enforcement, lawmakers, and child advocates.

Reporting and Dealing with Child Abuse.

The problem of defining and identifying child abuse complicates the matter of reporting abuse. Some people who suspect that a child is being abused may not report the situation to authorities because they are not certain if the behavior in question is considered abuse under the law. Even people who are reasonably confident that they have witnessed child abuse may be reluctant to report it. Some may not want to become involved in what they consider a private family matter. Others may believe that reporting the problem will do no good. Still others may feel that the possible outcome of reporting the matter—the separation of a child from his or her parents or guardians—is worse than the abuse that is occurring.

What is Child Abuse?

Most people would agree that sexually assaulting or causing serious physical harm to a child qualifies as abuse. However, the issue of child abuse is not as clear-cut as it seems. The definition of abuse has changed over time, and it differs among individuals and cultures. For example, people in the same society who hold different moral or religious convictions may disagree about what type of behavior toward a child amounts to abuse. Some Americans view spanking as an unacceptable act, while others see it as an appropriate form of discipline when conducted within reasonable limits.