child abuse & neglect

Child abuse and neglect include acts of commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver that result in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child. The five primary forms of maltreatment are physical abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, emotional maltreatment and exposure to domestic violence.

For a document that outlines definitions of frequently used terms in child abuse and neglect research, see the page with the glossary of social work and child maltreatment related terms.

You can get more information on the signs of child maltreatment from the Family Violence Initiative, operated by the Department of Justice of Canada. You can also contact Kid’s Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 for further information.

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, or are looking for information about services for children or families experiencing difficulties you can contact your local child welfare authority. Click here to find the local child authority agency in your province or territory. Please visit our FAQs section to learn more about child abuse and neglect.

Title	Authors	Year
The Canadian child welfare system response to exposure to domestic violence investigations	Black, Tara Trocmé, Nico Fallon, Barbara MacLaurin, Bruce	2006
The CRABE Project: Maps of Child Maltreatment and Associated Factors - An Interactive Diagnostic Tool for Communities	Dufour, Sarah Pitre, Patrice Mayer, Micheline Carrière, Jean Massicotte, Karina	2006
The Influence of Child Abuse on the Pattern of Expenditures in Women's Adult Health Service Utilization in Ontario, Canada		2006
The Potential Benefits of Remaining in School on the Long-Term Mental Health Functioning of Physically and Sexually Abused Children: Beyond the Academic Domain	Williams, Simon MacMillan, Harriet Jamieson, Ellen	2006
A Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography on Aspects of Aboriginal Child Welfare in Canada: 2nd Edition	Bennett, Marlyn Blackstock, Cindy De La Ronde, Richard	2005
Alberta Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect-2003 (AIS-2003): Major Findings	MacLaurin, Bruce Trocmé, Nico Fallon, Barbara McCormack, Megan Pitman, Lisa Forest, Nathalie Banks, Jennifer Shangreaux, Corbin Perrault, Ellen	2005
Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect 2003 (CIS-2003): Major Findings	Nico Trocmé Barbara Fallon Bruce MacLaurin Joanne Daciuk Caroline Felstiner Tara Black Lil Tonmyr Cindy Blackstock Ken Barter Daniel Turcotte Richard Cloutier	2005
Child abuse and neglect investigations in Canada: Comparing 1998 and 2003 data	Trocmé, Nico MacLaurin, Bruce Fallon, Barbara Black, Tara Lajoie, Jules	2005
Child Emotional Maltreatment in Canada	Trocmé, Nico Fallon, Barbara MacLaurin, Bruce Black, Tara Roy, Catherine	2005
Child Maltreatment and HPA Axis Dysregulation: Relationship to Major Depressive Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Females	Shea, Alison Walsh, Christine MacMillan, Harriet Steiner, Meir	2005