Child Advocacy Timline

By Robin OC

  • The American Humane Association

    The American Humane Association was established in 1870 to serve as a national organization concerned with child abuse. However, maternal and infant mortality were much higher priorities, leaving child abuse of little concern

  • Social Security Act

    In 1935, the Social Security Act established funding for the public welfare of the protection of willfully neglected children.

  • Kempe’s “Battered Child Syndrome”

    In 1962, Kempe and his colleagues formally described the "battered child syndrome", which was characterized by "injury to soft tissue and skeleton" and accompanied by "evidence of neglect" (Kempe et al, 1962, p 105).

  • The Children’s Bureau of the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect

    In 1963, the Children's Bureau of the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect drafted the first model reporting statute.

  • The Child Abuse and Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974

    Abuse and neglect are defined as "the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, negligent treatment, or maltreatment of a child under the age of 18 by a person who is responsible for the child's welfare…" (CAPTA of 1974, Section 3).

  • Child Abuse, Prevention, Adoption, and Family Services Act of 1988

    Abuse and neglect are defined as "the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or maltreatment of a child by a person who is responsible for a child's welfare…" (CAPAFSA of 1988, Section 14).