Definitions of Types of Child Maltreatment

These definitions are provided by Wisconsin Statute 48.02
View the complete Children's Code (Ch.48)

Signs and Symptoms

For signs and symptoms of child maltreatment, view the WI Department of Children and Families website.

Physical Abuse

• Physical injury, which includes but is not limited to lacerations, fractured bones, burns, internal injuries, severe or frequent bruising or great bodily harm, that is inflicted on a child by other than accidental means.

Neglect

• Failure, refusal or inability on the part of a caregiver, for reasons other than poverty, to provide necessary care, food, clothing, medical or dental care or shelter so as to seriously endanger the physical health of the child.

Sexual Abuse

Cross references specific criminal statuses

• Sexual intercourse
• Sexual contact
• Sexual exploitation
• Prostitution/trafficking
• Forced viewing of pornography or sexual activity for the purposes of sexual gratification or degradation
• Exposure of genitals/intimate parts for the purposes of sexual arousal/gratification

Emotional Damage

• Harm to a child's psychological or intellectual functioning that is evidenced by one or more of the following characteristics exhibited to a severe degree: anxiety; depression; withdrawal; outward aggressive behavior; or a substantial and observable change in behavior, emotional response or cognition that is not within the normal range for the child's age and stage of development.
• Jurisdiction requires that the parent, guardian or legal custodian has neglected, refused or been unable and is neglecting, refusing or unable, for reasons other than poverty, to obtain necessary treatment or to take necessary steps to ameliorate the symptoms.

Unborn Child Abuse

• Serious physical harm inflicted on the unborn child, and the risk of serious physical harm to the child when born, caused by the habitual lack of self-control of the expectant mother of the unborn child in the use of alcohol beverages, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs, exhibited to a severe degree.

This is information you can expect to be asked when reporting child abuse or neglect. You can still make the report even if you don’t know all of the requested information; however, we can make the most informed screening decision when more thorough and accurate information is provided.

• What is your name, phone number, address, and relationship with the child?If you are not a mandated reporter, you can remain anonymous if necessary.
• What is purpose of call – CPS report or Services report?
• Who are the children - names, birthdates/ages, addresses, race?
• Who are the parents - names, birthdates, addresses, phone numbers, race, custody order/schedule?
• What are your concerns?  What information or observations caused you to have these concerns?
• Who is the maltreater, what is his/her relationship to the child?  What kind of access does he/she have in the next 5 days?
• Does the child have any injuries?
• Do you know if the parents are using drugs?
• Is anyone else living in the household?
• Is there domestic abuse now or has there been in the home?
• Are you aware if anyone in the home has Native American heritage?
• Where is the child right now?
• Does the child have any special needs?
• Where does the child attend school and/or day care and what time do they leave or get picked up?  Are the parents employed?  If so, do you know where?
• How might the family respond to us having contact with them?
• Who else might have information regarding the family or the circumstances?
• What supports/strengths do the parents and family have?

This information is also available to be printed.

To report child abuse or neglect, please contact the Department of Human Services Access Unit at (715) 839-7118 Monday through Friday between 8am - 4:30pm.

Evenings after 4:30pm, weekends, and holidays please contact the Police Department at (715) 839-4972. For emergency situations dial 911.

Trainings

Division of Children and Families for Mandated Reporters online training

Process

CPS Process

Other