Distinguish between child abuse and neglect. Discuss who often is the perpetrator of abuse and the ...

Neglect refers to deprivations children suffer at the hands of their parents (lack of food, shelter, health care, love). Child abuse is a more overt form of aggression against the child, one that often requires medical attention.

Four-fifths of victims were maltreated by a parent either acting alone or with someone else. Nearly two-fifths of victims are maltreated by their mother acting alone; one-fifth of victims are maltreated their father acting alone and one-fifth of victims were maltreated by both parents; about thirteen percent of victims were maltreated by a perpetrator who was not a parent of the child

Of all factors associated with child abuse, three are discussed most often: (1) parents who themselves suffered abuse tend to abuse their own children; (2) the presence of an unrelated adult increases the risk of abuse; and (3) isolated and alienated families tend to become abusive.