What is abuse and neglect?

According to dictionary.com, abuse is defined as “to wrongly or improperly misuse,” “to treat in a harmful, injurious, or offensive way,” or “speak insultingly harshly, and unjustly to or about.” The same source defines neglect as “to pay no attention or too little attention to,” or “to be remiss in the care or treatment of.” However, these definitions must be expanded upon to understand better what constitutes abuse and neglect and why it is important to recognize and identify these concepts and how they manifest in the world.

Definitions of and attitudes towards abuse and neglect vary from culture to culture and across different periods of time. Historically, women and children have been regarded as property to be used, sold, or traded. Until the early 1900s in the U.S., children often long hours in factories or mines in dangerous conditions.  In many ways, there have been major strides forward in identifying abuse and neglect, creating legal protections, resources, and support for survivors. However, much more work needs to be done to protect survivors of abuse and neglect.

With changing attitudes towards vulnerable populations of women and children over the past century and legal protections that guaranteed certain human and labor rights, Western societies have begun to recognize the detrimental and long-lasting impact of abuse and neglect. Furthermore, the lingering impact of abuse and neglect can also contribute to societal problems, such as continued violence, crime, incarceration, addiction, and becoming trapped in poverty.

While the concept of abuse can apply to any individual, whether that person is a child, adolescent, or adult, neglect is a term that is most often applied to minors who are under 18 years old. Abuse is also more than just physical abuse; it is also defined as sexual abuse and harassment, emotional abuse, and verbal abuse. Mandated reporters, such as therapists, teachers, law enforcement, dentists, and doctors, are required by law to report any abuse, including episodes of domestic violence, where children witness violence, alcohol or drug abuse that occurs in front of children or impacts the ability to parent, or exposing children to other dangers activities, situations, or people.

Neglect involves acts where children are left alone for extended periods of time without supervision or do not have their basic needs met. For example, a child may have to find food independently, be unable to dress him or herself or dress appropriately for seasons or be exposed to or exploited by other adults. Children can also be emotionally neglected as the parents fail to provide adequate supervision and guidance or an environment with love, safety, and care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also identifies different types of neglect. Neglect can also include “medical neglect (failing to provide children with adequate medical or mental health treatment, withholding medically indicated treatment from children with life-threatening conditions), educational (failure to educate or enroll a child in school), and emotional neglect (inattention to a child’s emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care, permitting a child to use alcohol or other drugs).” If a parent abandons a child without ensuring that the child is being cared for by another parent or competent caregiver, neglect is also considered.

It is worth noting that both abuse and neglect in childhood have the most detrimental impact on psycho-social development. As stated previously, definitions and attitudes towards abuse and neglect can not only vary from culture to culture but also from family to family. In some families, norms of using physical, emotional, or verbal abuse as a form of discipline may be prevalent. Children may not learn to question abusive behavior until they are exposed to other environments or families and differing norms. With increased education and awareness, more progress can be made to alleviate and reduce abuse and neglect. Most communities, local counseling centers, and crisis lines also provide support for individuals experiencing abuse.