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.

Filter by Publication Date Range
Title Authors Year
Pathways from neighborhood to neglect: The mediating effects of social support and parenting stress

Maguire-Jack, K., & Wang, X.

2016
The role of childhood neglect and childhood poverty in predicting mental health, academic achievement and crime in adulthood

Nikulina, V., Widom, C. S., & Czaja, S.

2011
Does child abuse and neglect explain the overrepresentation of aboriginal and Torres Strait islander young people in youth detention? Findings from a birth cohort study

Doolan, I., Najman, J. M., Mills, R., Cherney, A., & Strathearn, L. 

2013
New Brunswick Family Services Act

The Government of New Brunswick

1980
Development and preliminary evaluation of the Ontario Child Neglect Index

Trocmé, Nico

1996
Ontario Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse or Neglect 1993 (OIS-1993) 1998
Building Bridges: The Collaborative Development of Culturally Appropriate Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect for the South Asian Community

Maiter, Sarah
Trocmé, Nico
George, Usha

2000
Type I and Type II Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Sexually Abused Children

Tremblay, Caroline
Hébert, Martine
Piché, Christiane

2000
Étude exploratoire des manifestations possibles de mauvais traitements psychologiques chez de jeunes parents à risque avec leur enfant d’âge préscolaire : Rapport final

Malo, Claire
Moreau, Jacques
Chamberland, Claire
Roy, Catherine
Léveillé, Sophie
Beauvais, Brigitte

2000
Changes in report and incidence of child abuse following natural disasters.

Curtis, T., Miller, B., Berry, H. 

2000