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
Predictors of Maternal Support: The Point of View of Adolescent Victims of Sexual Abuse and Their Mothers

Cyr, Mireille
Wright, John
Toupin, Jean
Oxman-Martinez, Jacqueline
McDuff, Pierre
Thériault, Chantal

2003
Psychological abuse: Children's invisible suffering

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

2003
Reported Contact with Child Protection Services Among Those Reporting Child Physical and Sexual Abuse: Results from a Community Survey

MacMillan, Harriet
Jamieson, Ellen
Walsh, Christine A.

2003
The Baby Andy Report: Examination of services provided to Baby Andy and his family

Montreal Lake Child & Family Agency inc.
Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment

2003
The Economic Costs and Consequences of Child Abuse in Canada

Bowlus, Audra
McKenna, Katherine
Day, Tanis
Wright, David

2003
The Relationship Between Parental Substance Abuse and Child Maltreatment: Findings from the Ontario Health Supplement

Walsh, Christine A.
MacMillan, Harriet
Jamieson, Ellen

2003
A Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography Focusing on Aspects of Aboriginal Child Welfare in Canada

Bennett, Marlyn
Blackstock, Cindy

2002
Child Maltreatment Investigations in Canada: Judicial Implications

Trocmé, Nico
Siddiqi, Jasmine

2002
Child Neglect: Developmental Issues and Outcomes

Hildyard, Kathryn
Wolfe, David

2002
Étude sur l'incidence et les caractéristiques des situations d'abus, de négligence, d'abandon et de troubles de comportement sérieux signalés à la Direction de la protection de la jeunesse au Québec (EIQ-1998)

Tourigny, M., Mayer, M., Hélie, S., Wright, J., & Trocmé, N.

2002