Parents can get in trouble unknowingly with the U.S. laws on child abuse.
If you hurt or injure your child, you may be reported to law enforcement for child abuse. Once a child abuse report is made, the process can take weeks, months, or even years to end. You may have to go to court. The government can even take your children away from your home before you go to court. Learn about how you can discipline your child legally. You have choices and limits.
The laws are meant to protect the safety of children, even if the parents do not mean to hurt the children. To obey the law and protect your children from harm, learn about acceptable ways to discipline your children.
To whom do these laws apply?
Parents and others who care for the child have a duty to protect the child from harm or excessive discipline.
If you know that someone else is disciplining your child in a way that might be child abuse, you must protect your child. You must do more than just try to stop the abuse. You must actually stop it. A parent might have to call the police if they cannot stop the abuse.
The authorities will also hold a parent responsible if they think that the parent "should have known" about the abuse. For example, if a spouse has abused the child before and might abuse the child again, then the parent will be expected to protect the child.
Other People Caring for a Child
Even if you are not a child's parent, these laws apply to you. This includes a person responsible for the child's care at the time of the abuse, or a person who is regularly in the child's house, such as a grandparent or babysitter.
In New York, certain people must report any suspected abuse or neglect according to the law. These people include doctors, teachers, day care providers, social services workers and police.
Seek help if you need it. Asking for help is a sign of strength.
If you think stress may be affecting the way you respond to your child, or if you just want the extra support that all parents need at some point, try the following:
- Talk to someone. Tell a friend, healthcare provider or a leader in your faith community about your concerns. Join a self-help group for caregivers.
- Seek Counseling. Individual or family counseling can help you learn healthy ways to communicate with each other.
- Take a parenting workshop or class. Such learning opportunities can give you knowledge skills, and support for effective parenting and connect you with other parents who share your concerns. Go to the New York State Parenting Education Partnership (NYSPEP) website to find a program in your area.
- Accept help. Accept offers of help from friends, family or neighbors and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Call the New York Parent Helpline at 1-800-CHILDREN.
How do I report child abuse?
If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call the NY State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Hotline 24 hours/7 days a week at (800) 342-3720. Language assistance is available, but you must be able to make initial request for an interpreter in English.
The New York State Child Protective Services will document all calls made to report child abuse or neglect, and, in some cases, they might have to report the case to the Police Department.
You can read more about reporting child abuse on the website for the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).
Last Reviewed: April 24, 2024