Final answer:
The most likely perpetrators of child abuse are the parents, with 81.2 percent being responsible for such acts. Risk factors include substance abuse by caregivers, young parental age, social isolation, and low education levels. Professionals such as teachers and social workers often report abuse, highlighting the role of community awareness in safeguarding children.
Step-by-step explanation:
In terms of child abuse and maltreatment, the most likely person to abuse a child is the parent. Data indicates that a majority, 81.2 percent, of perpetrators of child abuse are the parents of the victim, followed by other relatives at 6.2 percent. Forms of child abuse can include neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological maltreatment, and medical neglect, with neglect being the most common. Furthermore, it is noted that children raised by substance abusers have a significantly increased risk of abuse, with physical abuse being three times more likely and neglect four times as likely compared to other children. Other risk factors for child abuse include social isolation, depression, low parental education, and a history of the parent being mistreated as a child. Additionally, children who are born to very young mothers, specifically those who are fifteen years old or younger, are at a higher risk of being abused or neglected. It's also important to recognize that infants are the most victimized population due to their total dependence on caregivers for their needs.
It's essential for professionals, such as teachers and social services staff, to be vigilant as they are often the ones to report instances of child abuse. They, along with law enforcement personnel, account for three-fifths of child abuse reports.