Laws of the state of Colorado and in the United States are created to make sure children are safe and healthy. When children are hurt or neglected by adults, the county Department of Human Services or the state government will get involved. In cases of abuse and neglect, Human Services offers, and in some cases, requires classes on parenting, substance abuse, recovery and counseling services.
According to CO4KIDS, the Department of Human Services will remove children and put them in a safe home while parents are equipped with the tools needed to better care for them and keep them safe. When a parent or caregiver injures the child, which includes bruises, broken bones, burns or bleeding, it is called child abuse, and it is illegal in the United States. Spanking that leaves bruises and damages on the skin is child abuse. For example, hitting a child with a stick that leaves bruises or causes bleeding is abuse. It is also abuse if a parent cuts her child, uses a knife, or burns their skin.
According to FindLaw, another type of abuse is sexual abuse. This is where an adult engages in sexual behavior with a child under the age of 18. This is illegal, and there are serious legal consequences of sexual abuse. Emotional abuse happens when a parent does not care for the emotional needs of their children. For example, telling a child that she is stupid is emotional abuse. Another example is putting a child in a closet with the lights off as a form of punishment. Making children watch videos of torture or threatening them with a knife is also abuse.