In Chapter 2, we present trends and characteristics regarding child abuse and neglect in California. Chapter 3 provides information on the state's CWS Program. Chapter 4 displays cost data related to child abuse and neglect. Chapter 5 provides data to assess the CWS system. Finally, in Chapter 6 we provide an assessment of the CWS Program and discuss policy implications suggested by the information provided in the preceding chapters.
Child neglect is defined as negligent treatment which threatens the child's health or welfare.
Physical abuse is bodily injury inflicted by other than accidental means on a child, including willful cruelty, unjustifiable punishment, or corporal punishment. Emotional abuse is nonphysical mistreatment, resulting in disturbed behavior by the child, such as severe withdrawal or hyperactivity. Emotional abuse includes willfully causing any child to suffer, inflicting mental suffering, or endangering a child's emotional well-being. Severe neglect refers to those situations of neglect where the child's health is endangered, including severe malnutrition. Exploitation means forcing or coercing a child into performing activities that are beyond the child's capabilities or which are illegal or degrading, including sexual exploitation.