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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