Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect WHAT’S INSIDE Types of abuse Standards for reporting Persons responsible for the child Exceptions Summaries of State laws To find statute information for a particular State, go to https://www.childwelfare. gov/topics/systemwide/ laws-policies/state/. Child abuse and neglect are defined by Federal and State laws. At the State level, child abuse and neglect may be defined in both civil and criminal statutes. This publication presents civil definitions that determine the grounds for intervention by State child protective agencies.1 1 States also may define child abuse and neglect in criminal statutes. These definitions provide the grounds for the arrest and prosecution of the offenders. For information on the criminal aspects of child abuse and neglect, visit the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse website at http://www.ndaa.org/ncpca.html. At the Federal level, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines child abuse and neglect as: Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.2 2 CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-320), § 5101, Note (§ 3).