DEFINITION: Child Abuse and Neglect is the total number of indicated investigations of child abuse and neglect per 1,000 children. "Indicated investigation" means that credible evidence exists that child abuse and/or neglect occurred following an investigation of an abuse report. An indicated investigation can involve more than one child and multiple allegations (claims) of different forms of abuse. Child abuse includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Child neglect includes emotional, educational, physical, medical neglect, as well as failure to provide basic needs.