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.

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Title Authors Year Sort ascending
Police Involvement in Child Maltreatment Investigations in Ontario in 2018

William, Kineesha
Risidore, Jordan
Edwards, Travonne
King, Bryn

2020
Ongoing Child Welfare Services and Referrals to Services by Primary Form of Substantiated Maltreatment in Ontario 2018

Davidson, Laura
Joh-Carnella, Nicolette
King, Bryn

2020
Ontario Incidence Study Of Reported Child Abuse And Neglect - 2018 (OIS-2018)

Fallon, Barbara
Filippelli, Joanne
Lefebvre, Rachael
Joh-Carnella, Nicolette
Trocmé, Nico
Black, Tara
MacLaurin, Bruce
Hélie, Sonia
Morin, Yves
Fluke, John
King, Bryn
Esposito, Tonino
Collin-Vézina, Delphine
Allan, Kate
Houston, Emmaline
Harlick, Maria
Bonnie, Nicole
Budau, Krista
Goodman, Deborah
Kartusch, Mark
Malti, Tina
Moody, Brenda
Rasteniene, Jolanta
Parada, Henry
Richard, Kenn
Schumaker, Kate
Stevens, Theresa
Stoddart, Jill

2020
Child Maltreatment-Related Investigations Involving Infants in Ontario in 2018

Filippelli, Joanne
Joh-Carnella, Nicolette
Allan, Kate
Fallon, Barbara

2020
Hospital Referrals for Child Maltreatment-Related Concerns to the Ontario Child Welfare System in 2018

Joh-Carnella, Nicolette
Vandermorris, Ashley
Lefebvre, Rachael
Fallon, Barbara

2020
Placement in Out of Home Care During the Investigation in Ontario in 2018

Risidore, Jordan
Edwards, Travonne
King, Bryn

2020
Accountability Report 201-20: Department of Community Services

Department of Community Services Nova Scotia

2020
A Quantitative Study on Gender Differences in Disclosing Child Sexual Abuse and Reasons for Nondisclosure.

Okur Pinar, van der Knaap Leontien M, & Bogaerts, S.

2020
An examination of trends in child sexual abuse investigations in Ontario over time

Fallon, Barbara
Joh-Carnella, Nicolette
Trocmé, Nico
Chabot, Martin
Esposito, Tonino
Nosrati-Inanlou, Mahsima
Collin-Vézina, Delphine

2019
Annual Report 2018/19 and Service Plan 2019/20 to 2021/22

British Columbia Representative for Children and Youth

2019