What You Must Know About Child Rights

In the United States there are several Federal laws that require all states to possess laws to protect children from abuse. What are some laws to protect children's rights is a common question because children are typically viewed as non-functioning members of society.

This common notion is superseded by Federal and state law which implement not only laws, but health care professionals, day care workers, law enforcement agents, and teachers to legally uphold and investigate cases of child abuse.

The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act is the benchmark legislation that provides a broad minimum definition of child abuse. In addition, the law further defines abuse with illegal actions that focus on neglect of a child's needs and sexual misconduct.

Although specific provisions of the legislation will vary by state, there are three primary legal elements that protect a child's rights: the criminal implications that revolve around child abuse, the requirements to report misconduct and the mistreatment of a child, and the powers instilled on the juvenile court system to take custody of a child if the home environment is considered unsuitable or unsafe.