The Issue
In Minnesota in 2009, 4,742 children were confirmed to be abused and neglected; 44 children suffered life-threatening injuries and 21 children died from maltreatment. The median age of these children was 6.
What is considered abuse and neglect in Minnesota?
Neglect is the most common form of maltreatment of a child. It is usually failure of a child's caregiver to:
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supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical, or mental health care, education or appropriate supervision.
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protect the child from conditions or actions that endanger the child; or
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take steps to ensure that a child is educated according to the law.
Physical abuse is any physical injury or threat of harm or substantial injury, inflicted by a caregiver upon a child other than by accidental means. Physical abuse can range from minor bruises to severe internal injuries and death.
Mental injury is harm to a child's psychological capacity or emotional stability evidenced by an observable and substantial impairment of the child's functioning. It is considered abuse in Minnesota.
Sexual abuse is the subjection of a child to a criminal sexual act or threatened act by a person responsible for the child's care or by a person who has a significant relationship to the child or is in a position of authority.
