Sadly, child abuse is a major issue all around the world. Here in the Commonwealth, there are things you can do to stop it, and things to do if you suspect someone is a victim of child abuse.
According to Virginia Child Protective Services, these are the criteria for child abuse:
Alleged victim is under the age of 18 at the time of the report
Alleged abuser is in a caretaking role
Alleged abuse or neglect meets the definition of abuse or neglect as defined by the CPS laws, regulations and policy
The Virginia Department of Social Services local agency has jurisdiction to respond to the report
Child abuse can also look different in every case. Emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect can all harm, or even lead to the death of a child. If you suspect child abuse, speak up, because you may save a life.
