What is Child Abuse/Neglect?

Chapter 48 of the Wisconsin laws defines abuse in the following manner: 

• Physical Abuse - Physical injury inflicted on a child by other than accidental means. 

• Physical Injury - This includes but is not limited to, lacerations, fractured bones, burns, internal injuries, severe or frequent bruising or great bodily harm.

• Sexual Abuse - Sexual intercourse or sexual touching of a child, sexual exploitation, forced viewing of sexual activity or permitting, allowing or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution.

• Neglect - When a parent or caretaker fails, refuses or is unable, for reasons other than poverty, to provide necessary care, food, clothing, medical or dental care so as to seriously endanger the physical health of the child.

• Emotional Damage - Harm to a child's psychological or intellectual functioning that is exhibited by severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal or aggression. Emotional Damage may be demonstrated by observable changes in behavior, emotional response or learning which are incompatible with the child's age or stage of development.

For information on the incidence of Child Abuse and Neglect in Racine County, please refer to our Annual Reports.