• Each State provides its own definitions of child abuse and neglect based on minimum standards set by Federal law. This factsheet explains how child maltreatment is defined in the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. Operational definitions of physical abuse, child neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse also are included.
  www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/whatiscan.cfm

• The best way to prevent child abuse is to help parents develop the skills and identify the resources they need to understand and meet their children's needs and protect them from harm. This factsheet describes common activities of prevention programs, keys to successful prevention services, and protective factors that increase the health and well-being of children and families. It also lists simple things everyone can do to support families in raising safe and healthy children.
  www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/preventingcan.cfm

• The first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. This factsheet lists general signs that may signal the presence of child abuse. It also includes signs associated with specific types of maltreatment such as physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional maltreatment.
  www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm

• The harmful effects of child abuse and neglect vary depending on a number of factors, including the circumstances, personal characteristics of the child, and the child’s environment. In many cases, child abuse and neglect have consequences for children, families, and society that last lifetimes. This factsheet provides an overview of some of the most common physical, psychological, behavioral, and societal consequences of child abuse and neglect, including findings from research supported by the Federal Government.
  www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/long_term_consequences.cfm

• Every parent eventually faces the decision to leave their child home alone for the first time. This factsheet provides some questions for parents to consider before leaving their children home alone, as well as tips to help make the experience safe and successful for all.
  www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/homealone.cfm

Child Abuse and Neglect- General Information Packet

• This information packet includes fact sheets about child maltreatment and the services available from the Child Welfare Information Gateway. The fact sheets review the definitions of maltreatment, child abuse and neglect prevention, and provide statistical information about the prevalence of child abuse and neglect and the characteristics of victims and offenders. Directories of federal clearinghouses, hotlines, state agencies, and other organizations that disseminate information about family and domestic violence and substance abuse are also inserted.
  www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/can_info_packet.pdf

Reports of suspected abuse and neglect can be made to either Child Protective Services at the Arizona statewide toll free hot line 1-888-SOS-CHILD or 1-888-767-2445 or to the local law enforcement agency. The Child Protective Services Hotline receives information regarding physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment of children by a parent, guardian or custodian. A CPS report and investigation is initiated by the Hotline. Reports should always be made immediately. Reports can be made 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

• This directory lists toll-free phone numbers maintained by various crisis organizations. It includes organizations that deal with child abuse, child sexual abuse, crime victims, family violence, mental illness, missing/abducted children, rape/incest, substance abuse, suicide prevention, and youth in trouble/runaways.
  www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist/tollfree.cfm

Additional Resources on the Child Welfare Information Gateway Website:

Child Abuse and Neglect
www.childwelfare.gov/can

Defining Child Abuse and Neglect
www.childwelfare.gov/can/defining/

Laws and Policies
www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/index.cfm

Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect
www.childwelfare.gov/preventing

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
www.childwelfare.gov/responding/reporting.cfm