Child abuse and neglect are preventable. Certain factors may affect the risk of child abuse and neglect. We must understand and address the factors that put people at risk for or protect them from violence. We all benefit when children have safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. CDC developed a resource to help communities use the best available evidence to prevent child abuse and neglect. This resource is available in English and Spanish and can impact individual behaviors and relationships, family, community, and societal factors that influence risk and protective factors for child abuse and neglect.

Emotional abuse refers to behaviors that harm a child’s self-worth or emotional well-being. Examples include name-calling, shaming, rejecting, withholding love, and threatening.

Different types of abuse and violence are connected and often share root causes. Child abuse and neglect are linked to other forms of violence through shared risk and protective factors. Addressing and preventing one form of violence may have an impact on preventing other forms of violence.

For further information, please access: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/fastfact.html