Lesson Two - Neglect

• What are the numbers?
• Neglect
  • Indicators
  • Causes
• Physical
  • Considerations
  • Causes
• Emotional
• Sexual
• Cultural Issues
• Guidelines

An Introduction to Neglect

On several occasions, a student will come to school hungry because there is nothing at home to eat. He often comes to school dirty and isn't dressed appropriately (no jacket in winter, for example). He is frequently absent or tardy, stating that he was up all night caring for his younger brothers. He seems to have few friends and school work is lacking organization and structure despite his average intelligence. If contact can be made with the parents or caregivers, there is usually no follow-through on the parent-teacher discussions. 

This is one picture you might see when looking at a child experiencing neglect. There are several different types of neglect and each type may co-exist with the others. For example, a child who is malnourished (physical neglect) may also be experiencing a lack of attention from her parents (emotional neglect). That is why it is important for reporters to be aware of all forms of neglect and how indicators may present themselves. 

The following lesson will take a closer look at each type of neglect and the physical and behavioral indicators associated with this type of maltreatment. 

Definitions of Neglect 

Under the Child Protection Act, child neglect means harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare by a parent or legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child's health or welfare that occurs through either of the following: 

• Negligent treatment including the failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
• Placing a child at unreasonable risk to the child’s health or welfare by the failure of a parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for the child’s health or welfare to intervene to eliminate that risk when that person is able to do so and has, or should have, knowledge of the risk. (Source: Act No. 238, MCL [722.622 sec 2(f)

Five subtypes of Neglect are as follows:

1. Physical neglect is defined as a caretaker’s failure to provide the basic necessities of food, shelter, and clothing. 
2. Emotional neglect is the failure to meet needs such as affection, attention, and nurturing.
3. Educational neglect is the refusal to send a child to school when the child and caretaker are able to meet this requirement. (By law, educational neglect is handled differently than the other types of neglect and is covered later in the lesson.) 
4. Safety neglect is the gross lack of supervision.
5. Medical neglect is the failure to provide adequate medical care. 

In Oakland County, the majority of child victims suffer from physical neglect. As a mandated reporter, you are more likely to observe instances of physical neglect than the other types of child abuse. But as stated earlier, if one form of abuse and/or neglect is present, it is likely that another type of abuse or neglect is also present.  

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