Test Your Awareness About Child Abuse

NM Statute 32A-4-2 defines an abused child as:  a child who has suffered or who is at risk of suffering serious harm because of the action or inaction of the child’s parent, guardian or custodian.

Neglect Child means a child who has been abandoned by the child’s parent, guardian or custodian or without proper parents care…because of the faults or the habits of the parents, guardian or custodian when able to do so…has been physically or sexually abused, when the child’s parent, guardian or custodian knew or should have known of the abuse and failed to make reasonable steps to protect…whose parent, guardian or custodian is unable to discharge his responsibilities to and for the child..who has been placed for care or adoption in violation of the law.

Abuse is indicated if there is not a justifiable explanation for the condition or death.

Sexual Abuse includes, but is not limited to, criminal sexual contact, incest or criminal sexual penetration, as those acts are defined by state law.

Sexual Exploitation includes, but is not limited to, allowing, permitting or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution, obscene pornographic photographing or filming, or depicting a child for obscene  pornographic purposes as those acts are defined by state law.

Various studies show that anywhere between 8%-26% of the children who have been involved in delinquent acts have been physically abused.

Research has shown that a maltreated child is 50-60 times more likely to commit a violent act.