Which statement about child abuse and maltreatment is correct?

Which statement about child abuse and maltreatment is correct?

• A. The most common reporters are primary care providers
• B. The most common perpetrator of physical abuse is the father
• C. Abusive deaths are most often caused by biological family members
• D. Disabled children are safe from abuse and neglect

Answer: (C)

Outcomes in child abuse fatalities show the person who harms the child is usually someone who has ongoing access in the home, most often a biological parent. That makes the statement that abusive deaths are most often caused by biological family members true. This reflects the severe risk within the family environment and the central role of caregiver stress, domestic violence, and neglect in fatalities. The other points don’t align as consistently with the data: while primary care providers are important mandated reporters, they are not the single most frequent source of reports; many cases are reported by teachers, social services, or law enforcement. The idea that the father is the most common perpetrator of physical abuse isn’t universally supported—both parents and other caregivers can be perpetrators, and proportions vary by group. Disabled children are not safe from abuse and neglect; they are at higher risk, so that statement is false.

Outcomes in child abuse fatalities show the person who harms the child is usually someone who has ongoing access in the home, most often a biological parent. That makes the statement that abusive deaths are most often caused by biological family members true. This reflects the severe risk within the family environment and the central role of caregiver stress, domestic violence, and neglect in fatalities. The other points don’t align as consistently with the data: while primary care providers are important mandated reporters, they are not the single most frequent source of reports; many cases are reported by teachers, social services, or law enforcement. The idea that the father is the most common perpetrator of physical abuse isn’t universally supported—both parents and other caregivers can be perpetrators, and proportions vary by group. Disabled children are not safe from abuse and neglect; they are at higher risk, so that statement is false.