What Is Child Abuse and Neglect?

Child abuse is non-accidental physical injury inflicted on a child by a parent or guardian. Child neglect is any treatment that threatens the child's health, safety or welfare. Abuse and neglect can be categorized as follows:

a. Sexual Abuse is any sexual act by an adult in the presence of a child, or to a child.

b. Physical Abuse is bodily injury inflicted on a child by other than accidental means.

c. Emotional Abuse is non-physical mistreatment that endangers a child's emotional health.

d. General Neglect is the failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical treatment or supervision where no physical injury to the child has occurred.

e. Severe Neglect refers to situations where the child's health and life is endangered, including severe malnutrition and failure to thrive.

f. Exploitation is forcing or coercing a child into performing activities that are beyond the child's capabilities or which are illegal or degrading.

Why Do People Abuse Children?

Here are some common characteristics and possible factors that may cause a parent or guardian to abuse a child:

Lack of knowledge and understanding of age appropriate behaviors

Inability to properly cope with the pressures of life

Socially isolated, no support group (in the form of family or friends) to help tired or overwhelmed people

Disruption of family structure, such as divorce or death

Poverty, Unemployment

Alcohol or drug abuse

History of child abuse or neglect in their own family of origin

Low self-esteem

Poor health of a parent or guardian

Common Indicators of Child Abuse and Neglect:

Repeated or suspicious injuries or accidents

Neglected appearance; dirty and hungry, not dressed appropriately for the weather

Passive or withdrawn behavior

Disruptive behavior at home or school

Sudden personality change

Sexual acting out or inappropriate sexual knowledge

Sudden onset of eating disorders

Child lacking in medical or dental care

Disclosure of abuse or neglect by the child

While some of these factors may exist in any home, it is the extreme or persistent presence of these factors that indicate a degree of abuse or neglect. A messy or untidy home does not necessarily mean the home is unfit or that the child is a victim of neglect.

Trained investigators and medical professionals have a great deal of knowledge about the nature of a particular injury to a child. This information is used to distinguish accidental injuries.

When you report suspected child abuse or neglect, please provide as much information as possible with regard to the situation-child's name, parent's name, address, phone number and the reason why you are concerned. You do not have to give your name, but it helps us if we have further questions. If you do give us your name, your identity is kept strictly confidential.

Mandated Reporters may call (661) 633-7227 or send referrals by
fax (661) 631-6568. Report 24 hours per day, 7 days per week

Hot Lines for Reporting Child Abuse & Supportive Services
Child Abuse Hotline: (661) 631-6011 (Countywide)
(760) 375-6049 (Ridgecrest)

Elder Abuse Hotline: (661) 868-1006
Hearing Impaired:
(TTY relay) (800) 735-2929

HelpLine:
(661) 336-5200 (Bakersfield)
(800) 273-2275 (All other Kern County areas)

Jobs Hotline: (661) 633-1JOB