Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Neglect - Child Abuse
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1973 was enacted to protect children. It defines child abuse (and neglect) as "the physical treatment and mental injuring, sexual abuse, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child under the age of 18 by a person who is responsible for the child's welfare under circumstances which indicate that the child's health and welfare is harmed or threatened thereby."
A non-accidental injury to a child is physical abuse. Failure to provide a child with basic emotional and physical needs is neglect. Neglect includes not providing a child with basic medical care. Sexual abuse is defined as any sexual activity between an adult and a child.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
Children of all ages, ethnic and cultural groups, and socioeconomic levels are at risk for abuse. Certain factors put some children at higher risk for being abused. Three particular areas of stress have been shown to increase the risk of abuse to a child.
Child-produced stress factors
These stress factors include a child who may be:
Social-situational stress factors
These stress factors include:
Parent-produced stress factors
These stress factors include parents who have the following characteristics: