Child abuse is harm or threatened harm to a child’s health or welfare

Child abuse is physical maltreatment or sexual molestation of a child

Child maltreatment refers to any non-accidental behavior by parents, caregivers, other adults or older adolescents

Any sexual behavior between a child under the age of consent and an adult is abusive

Child neglect is negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child

Child maltreatment is commonly divided into five categories:

Physical abuse; Emotional maltreatment; Neglect;  Sexual abuse; and Exposure to family violence

Alabama Age of Consent is 16-years old

Age of consent is the minimum age which an individual is considered legally old enough to consent to participation in sexual activity.

In Alabama, sexual activity with individuals aged 15 or younger may result in prosecution for statutory rape

78% of perpetrators of child maltreatment were parents or others close to the family 
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Elder – persons 60 or older

Types of abuse – physical, emotional, sexual, neglect/abandonment, financial exploitation

Most common form of elder abuse is financial exploitation

Failure of a caregiver to satisfy an elder’s basic needs or to protect an elder from harm is abuse

Perpetrators include children, other family members, spouses, staff at nursing homes, assisted living & other facilities.

Family members are the most common perpetrators

Most elder abuse cases are not reported

Persons with disabilities or dementia are at greater risk for elder abuse

Isolation is a risk factor for elder abuse

Elder abuse most often takes place in the home where the senior lives.

Most victims are dependent on their abuse for basic needs. 
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