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
Risk Factors Associated With the Chronicity of High Potential for Child Abuse and Neglect

Ethier, Louise S.
Couture, Germain
Lacharité, Carl

2004
Single mothers of children with developmental delay: Maltreatment and life stressors

Schormans, Ann Fudge
Brown Ivan

2004
Substance abuse and child neglect: Intruders in the family

Mayer, Micheline
Lavergne, Chantal
Baraldi, Rosanna

2004
The Effects of Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence: A Meta-Analysis and Critique

Wolfe, David
Crooks, Claire
Lee, Vivien
McIntyre-Smith, Alexandra
Jaffe, Peter

2004
Validation of the French Version of the CTQ and Prevalence of the History of Maltreatment

Paquette, Daniel
Laporte, Lise
Bigras, Marc
Zoccolillo, Mark

2004
Dating Violence Prevention With At-Risk Youth: A Controlled Outcome Evaluation

Wolfe, David
Wekerle, Christine
Scott, Katreena
Straatman, Anna-Lee
Grasley, Carolyn
Reitzel-Jaffe, Deborah

2003
Domestic violence: Protecting children by involving fathers and helping mothers

Lavergne, Chantal
Chamberland, Claire
Laporte, Lise
Baraldi, Rosanna

2003
In the Best Interests of Children and Mothers: A Proposed Child Welfare Response to Violence Against Women

Morrow, Eileen

2003
La Transmission de la Violence Sexuelle: Description du Phénomène et Pistes de Compréhension

Collin-Vézina, Delphine
Cyr, Mireille

2003
Legal and Policy Responses to Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: The Need to Evaluate Intended and Unintended Consequences

Jaffe, Peter
Crooks, Claire
Wolfe, David

2003