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ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND SEXUAL ABUSE

DCF / ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND SEXUAL ABUSE

WHAT DCF CONSIDERS ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND SEXUAL ABUSE 1

WHAT DCF CONSIDERS ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND SEXUAL ABUSE

DCF investigates reports of abuse and neglect involving children and evaluates reports of abuse and neglect involving children and evaluates whether a caretaker’s behavior meets the legal definitions of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect under state law and DCF policy. These definitions guide when and how DCF intervenes in a family’s life.

SEXUAL ABUSE

Sexual abuse is defined by DCF as any non-accidental act or behavior committed by a caregiver toward a child. This includes:

  • Sexual contact between a child and a caretaker, regardless of whether the child “consents” or understands what is happening.
  • Sexual exploitation of a child (e.g., involving a child in pornography or trafficking)
  • Grooming behaviors are intended to initiate inappropriate sexual contact
  • Any sexual act that would be a crime under Massachusetts law, such as rape, indecent assault or battery, or stautory rape.

Sexual abuse can occur in the home, in foster care, in residential programs, or anywhere a child is under the supervision or care of an adult. Importantly, DCF does not require physical evidence of penetration or injury to substantiate sexual abuse – disclosure by a child or credible indicators of exploitation can trigger a full investigation.

PHYSICAL ABUSE

Physical abuse occurs when a caretaker intentionally inflicts harm, or creates a substantial risk of harm, to a child’s body or emotional well-being. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to:

  • Hitting, punching, slapping, or shaking a child
  • Inflicting burns, fractures, bruises, or other serious injuries
  • Using excessive force or cruel discipline methods
  • Causing physical injuries through reckless or dangerous behavior

To determine if physical abuse occurred, DCF examines the severity of the injury, the age and vulnerability of the child, and the context and explanation offered by the caregiver.

NEGLECT

Neglect is the most common reported form of child maltreatment and occurs when a caretaker fails to provide the basic care and supervision necessary for a child’s health, safety, or emotional development. DCF defines neglect as:
  • Failing to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care
  • Leaving a child unsupervised in unsafe conditions (e.g., alone at home or in a vehicle)
  • Failing to protect a child from known dangers, such as domestic violence or substance abuse in the home
  • Ignoring a child’s educational, medical, or emotional needs
Neglect can be chronic or situational and may occur due to poor judgment, lack of parenting skills, untreated mental illness, or substance abuse.

Abuse, Neglect, & Sexual Abuse FAQs:

What is considered sexual abuse by DCF?
Sexual abuse includes any non-accidental sexual contact, exploitation, or grooming behavior by a caregiver toward a child.
No. DCF can substantiate sexual abuse based on a child’s disclosure or credible signs of exploitation, even without physical evidence.
Physical abuse includes hitting, slapping, shaking, burning, or causing serious injuries to a child, either intentionally or through dangerous behavior.
DCF looks at the seriousness of the injury, the child’s age and vulnerability, and the caregiver’s explanation for how the injury occurred.

DCF looks at several key factors when deciding if neglect occurred, including:

  • Failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care
  • Leaving a child unsupervised in unsafe conditions
  • Failing to protect a child from known dangers, like domestic violence or substance abuse
  • Ignoring a child’s educational, medical, or emotional needs
  • Repeated or serious poor judgment that puts the child at risk
  • Risk factors like untreated mental illness, substance abuse, or severe housing instability

DCF’s main concern is whether the child’s health, safety, or emotional well-being has been put at risk by the caretaker’s actions or inactions.

No. Even a single serious incident of neglect can lead DCF to intervene.
Yes. Leaving a child unsupervised in unsafe conditions, such as at home or in a car, can be considered neglect.