Abuse

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