Who are most often the perpetrators of child abuse?

Who are most often the perpetrators of child abuse?

• A. Siblings
• B. Neighbors
• C. Teachers
• D. The child's parents

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that the child's own parents or parental caregivers are the most frequent perpetrators of abuse. They have ongoing, close access and control in the child’s daily life, which, combined with factors like caregiver stress, substance use, mental health challenges, or domestic violence in the home, increases the risk of harm. Data consistently show that a large majority of substantiated abuse cases involve a parent or parental figure, making them the primary focus for safety planning and prevention. While siblings, neighbors, or teachers can be involved in abuse in some instances, they are far less common than parental abuse.

The main idea is that the child's own parents or parental caregivers are the most frequent perpetrators of abuse. They have ongoing, close access and control in the child’s daily life, which, combined with factors like caregiver stress, substance use, mental health challenges, or domestic violence in the home, increases the risk of harm. Data consistently show that a large majority of substantiated abuse cases involve a parent or parental figure, making them the primary focus for safety planning and prevention. While siblings, neighbors, or teachers can be involved in abuse in some instances, they are far less common than parental abuse.