Child abuse is generally the mistreatment of a child by a parent or caregiver—through actions or inactions—that causes injury, death, or emotional harm to the child—or that places the child at serious risk of such injury, death, or emotional harm. Mistreatment that constitutes child abuse may take many forms, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, failure to supervise, and exploitation. Child abuse laws vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s family code and criminal or penal code.

In Connecticut, child abuse is defined and governed by both the state's family code and criminal statutes. The law recognizes various forms of mistreatment as child abuse, including neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and exploitation. Connecticut General Statutes Section 17a-101 et seq. outlines the duty to report suspected child abuse or neglect by certain professionals and the general public. The statutes also detail the investigation process and the potential consequences for perpetrators. Failure to report suspected abuse by mandated reporters is considered a violation of the law. Additionally, the state imposes penalties for those found guilty of abuse or neglect, which can range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense. Connecticut takes child abuse seriously and has systems in place for the protection of children, including the Department of Children and Families (DCF), which is responsible for investigating and responding to reports of child abuse and neglect.