Leading Causes of Child Abuse
- Parents’ history of child maltreatment in their family during childhood
- Substance abuse and/or mental health issues, including depression in the family
- Parents’ lack of understanding of children’s needs, child development and parenting skills
- Parental characteristics such as young age, low education, single parenthood, large number of dependent children, and low income
- Nonbiological, transient caregivers in the home (e.g., mother’s male partner)
- Parental thoughts and emotions that tend to support or justify maltreatment behaviours
Protective Factors
- Nurturing parenting skills
- Stable family relationships
- Household rules and child monitoring
- Adequate income
- Adequate housing
- Access to health care and social services
- Caring adults outside the family who can serve as role models or mentors
- Communities that support parents and take responsibility for preventing abuse
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