State and Federal Policies Related to Child Maltreatment
State and Federal Policies Related to Child Maltreatment
Because minors are considered to need additional protection as a result of their age, states not only
have laws making the acts of abuse and neglect criminal offenses but also have laws requiring that
certain adults must report suspected maltreatment to appropriate authorities. In some states, all
adults are mandated reporters. In most states, specific professionals, teachers, health care
professionals, social workers, law enforcement personnel, and others are mandated reporters (Child
Welfare Information Gateway, 2011). At the federal level, the Child Abuse Prevention and
Treatment Act (CAPTA) provides funding to states to support prevention, assessment,
investigation, prosecution, and treatment activities related to child maltreatment and funding for
research activities (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2011, 2013).
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